Norwegian base trains Ukrainian soldiers

Camp Jomsborg in eastern Poland, built by Norway on NATO soil, prepares Ukrainian troops for combat against Russia's ongoing invasion. The sprawling facility sits roughly two hours from the Ukrainian border.

Massive forest clearing for training

Norway felled 75,000 trees to build the camp, which spans more than 100 football fields. Construction took just a few months and is the largest facility the Norwegian Armed Forces has ever built abroad.

Realistic combat environments recreated

The camp features trenches, mock villages with fake gas stations and burnt-out cars, forested areas, five shooting ranges, and fields where Western forces simulate Russian attacks using Soviet-designed tanks and drones. Training uses laser systems and small explosives to recreate battlefield conditions.

Drone lab mirrors frontline innovation

A dedicated drone airstrip and lab allow soldiers to test, repair, modify, and 3D print parts just as they do near the front. Norwegian instructors study Ukrainian innovations and collect lessons for their own military.

Viking heritage shapes warrior mentality

Camp Jomsborg is named after a legendary Viking fortress known for discipline and professionalism. Street signs reference Thor and Odin, and the Telemark Battalion, whose emblem is a Viking ship, leads training while emphasizing a warrior mentality rooted in Norse culture.

“We draw that warrior mentality from our Viking heritage, and the Viking culture is very important for us.”

Training stays close to Ukrainian reality

Instructors regularly update tactics, equipment, and trench layouts to match changes at the front, where warfare evolves in weeks. Ukraine determines what troops need to learn, and NATO adapts training alongside Ukrainian counterparts.

“The battlefield changes so quickly that tactics and weaponry can become outdated in weeks.”

Life-or-death stakes drive instruction

Instructors emphasize that every training minute matters because soldiers will face combat immediately after leaving. The camp provides sleeping tents, medical facilities, dining areas, and recreational spaces for troops rotating through training.

“Every minute, every hour we have them for training, it's about life and death.”