Norway leads an international program for training Ukrainian military personnel in Poland, where Ukraine’s combat experience is combined with NATO tactics and standards. Norwegian instructors say they are also trying to impart a culture of discipline and resilience associated with the Viking heritage.
Norwegian soldiers say that they bring to the training of Ukrainian military not only NATO experience and procedures, but also what they describe as a “warrior mentality” inspired by the Viking tradition.
Norway leads Operation Legio, an international program aimed at supporting, training, and equipping Ukrainian soldiers fighting against Russia.
The program involves 11 countries, and the majority of the training is provided by military personnel from the Telemark Battalion, an elite mechanized infantry unit of the Norwegian army.
The program combines the experience gained by Ukrainian military personnel in war with NATO’s combat methods and operational standards.
“The Warrior Mentality”
A Norwegian officer, identified only by the first name John, for security reasons, coordinates the operational part of the program.
He says that the Telemark Battalion emphasizes not only the development of military skills, but also the formation of a “warrior mindset”, which allows soldiers to fight and withstand difficult conditions.
“We draw this warrior mindset from our Viking heritage, and the Viking culture is very important to us”, he stated for Business Insider.
The Telemark Battalion, which has participated in military missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, uses a Viking ship as its emblem, and the unit’s battle cry is “To Valhalla!” – a reference to Valhalla, the hall in Norse mythology where brave warriors are said to arrive after dying in battle.
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