🪡🧵/1. Footage shows the NEMESIS unit of the @usf_army “bombarding” NATO armored columns during drills in Estonia.
NEMESIS, a Ukrainian unit that participated in major NATO exercises in Estonia, helped simulate a drone-dominated battlefield for the Alliance.
Below is a thread with NEMESIS drone operators insights and the experience they gained during the drills.
/2. The military exercise Hedgehog-2025 took place in Estonia in May last year.
More than 16,000 service members from 12 NATO member states, as well as Ukraine, participated in the drills — including operators from the 412th Nemesis Brigade.
/3. Under one of the exercise scenarios, a large NATO battlegroup numbering several thousand troops conducted an offensive operation.
Playing the role of the opposing force was a Ukrainian UAV unit — bomber drone crews from the 412th NEMESIS Brigade, along with several FPV drone teams from the 427th Rarog Brigade and the International Legion of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR).
/4. In just half a day, the Ukrainian troops “destroyed” 17 NATO armored vehicles and carried out 30 additional strikes on other targets across a 10 km² area.
As one participant in the exercise put it “The Ukrainians eliminated two NATO battalions in a single day, and within the framework of the exercise, they were effectively unable to continue the fight.”
/5. “We carried out missions to strike and eliminate elements of the opposing force (NATO), mined logistical routes, and delivered various supplies to friendly units.
The 'enemy' (NATO) was detected by an aerial reconnaissance crew operating the Vector system. The Ukrainian team routed the assault groups, which were not prepared for large-scale strikes carried out by multiple UAV systems,”
recalled a fighter from the 412th Nemesis Brigade, call sign “Nick,” who took part in the exercise.
/6. According to the Ukrainian servicemen, the NATO assault formation made a number of critical mistakes:
– moving armored vehicles in large, concentrated groups;
– failing to implement proper camouflage and concealment;
– infantry units not attempting to take cover when UAVs approached;
– and neglecting to check routes for possible mining before moving their columns.
/7. The video shows the destruction of the command post of the simulated opposing force (NATO).
NATO personnel observed the Ukrainians’ operations with great interest. One of the exercise commanders noted that the Ukrainian crews performed highly effectively and have built a strong professional reputation.
/8. “The exercises demonstrated that the realities of modern warfare are setting new rules — ones our partners are not entirely prepared for. The tactic of mechanized assaults involving large concentrations of equipment is no longer relevant.
Everyone on the battlefield must understand that the primary threat now comes from the sky.
We have provided our feedback and shared our comments with our partners,” said a drone operator from the NEMESIS unit.
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