Why Ukraine’s NATO-Soil Training Is Being Kept Close to the War

New Western training for Ukrainian soldiers is being held on NATO soil near the war, and training leaders say that proximity is intentional. Norway is leading Operation Legio at the purpose-built Camp Jomsborg in eastern Poland, roughly two hours from Ukraine’s border, with several other allies involved.

The goal is practical: help Ukrainian troops reach training quickly while keeping instruction tied to the realities of the front. Business Insider reports that other allied efforts, including the UK-led Operation Interflex, are held farther away.

Training leaders described eastern Poland as close enough to preserve valuable hours and days for troops who may be leaving the battlefield temporarily before returning. Brigadier Atle Molde said a farther-away site would require moving soldiers and equipment across Europe by aircraft, adding cost and reducing training time.

For Ukrainian troops, the location can mean “only a bus ride,” according to the report. Maj. John said the camp’s location puts the operation closer to the eastern front than to Norway’s capital.

The camp is close to Ukraine, but it is still safely on NATO soil, allowing soldiers to train away from the attack threats that affect training inside Ukraine. The report notes that Ukrainian training camps face threats from missiles, drones, and other weapons, forcing protective measures that can reduce training time.

At Camp Jomsborg, John said trainers can maximize the 51 days available for each training course. Molde said the setup lets instructors use every minute for training without the same concern about attacks from above.

The training is built around realism, including battlefield-like terrain, trenches, and weapons used by Ukrainian and Russian forces. Because the war changes quickly, commanders, instructors, graduates, and returning front-line feedback help update the curriculum.

John described the “fast feedback loop” as essential, saying information on terrain, Russian actions, and Ukrainian tactics must be fed into the mission continuously. Molde also said Poland allows activities such as operating drones and electronic warfare systems that can be more complicated elsewhere in Europe.