Bringing Frontline Expertise to Munich Security Conference 2026
In February 2026, the Snake Island Institute brought Ukrainian frontline expertise to the Munich Security Conference — the world’s leading forum for international security policy. The delegation included SII experts alongside Ukrainian service members specializing in electronic warfare, air defense, UAV operations, Counter-UAS, and drone training. This unique composition ensured that discussions were grounded in real operational experience.
The military delegation featured active-duty Ukrainian military personnel from:
- Third Army Corps
- 412th Brigade of Unmanned Systems "NEMESIS"
- Strike UGV Company “NC13” of the Third Assault Brigade
Additionally, it featured a representative from the veteran-led FPV training school KillHouse Academy
Throughout the week, the delegation engaged in high-level discussions, participated as speakers, mentors, and practitioners, and engaged decision-makers from allied governments, defense industries, and research institutions.
Feature Event: From Battlefield to Breakthrough
Co-hosted by SII in collaboration with Bifrost Defence and TUM Venture Labs, with support from general sponsor MITS Capital, this event was designed to move beyond abstract policy debates and provide practitioner-level insights for defense cooperation.
At the core of the program was a fireside chat with Ukrainian Counter-UAS specialists — operators and technologists who have shaped air defense responses in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. The wide-ranging conversation included discussion on:
- Evolution of Layered Defense: How Ukraine’s layered air defense (electronic warfare, long- and short-range interceptors, tactical integration) evolved in response to real battlefield challenges.
- Capability Gaps: Identifying specific gaps critical for improving outcomes in current and future operations.
- Strategic Insight for Western Allies: Real-world lessons for U.S. and European air defense based on Ukraine’s experience in high-intensity warfare.
Following the discussion, participants engaged in interactive Q&A zones, where specialists addressed operational questions and explored avenues for collaboration on capability development and fielding.
The event also featured a Killhouse Academy FPV training booth, offering operator-led demonstrations and an introduction to veteran-driven FPV training as a bridge between defense innovation and hands-on skill development.
This convening reinforced SII’s mission: to ensure battlefield realities shape allied strategy, capability development, and long-term security cooperation.
Expanding Dialogue: Munich Security Week Highlights
Alongside SII’s feature event, the delegation participated in a wide range of Munich Security Week events, contributing to the broader security dialogue:
Munich Security Breakfast: SII representatives briefed senior decision-makers on the evolving realities of Ukraine’s frontline. The discussion focused on countering Russia’s winter assault on critical energy infrastructure and highlighted why the most consequential defense innovation today is emerging directly from battlefield necessity.
DIANA NATO Defense and Security Day: The delegation presented SII’s frontline-driven analytical work and evaluated how DIANA NATO startups align with real frontline demands. Conversations with venture funds and early-stage defense companies centered on closing the gap between innovation pipelines and battlefield requirements — ensuring that promising technologies are viable under combat conditions, not only in controlled environments.
European Defense Tech Hackathon: SII experts mentored participating teams by sharing operator-level insights from the war. Rather than offering abstract guidance, the delegation challenged developers to build solutions that withstand electronic warfare pressure, logistical constraints, and rapid deployment timelines.
SPARTA: Through curated 1:1 meetings, the delegation engaged directly with European defense-tech companies to match capabilities with urgent Ukrainian needs. Discussions prioritized counter-UAS systems, electronic warfare solutions, and scalable unmanned platforms.
Panel Discussion at Amerikahaus: Maryna Hrytsenko, Executive Director of Snake Island Institute, presented Ukraine’s perspective on the transformation of deterrence in the age of unmanned systems. The panel examined NATO’s speed of adaptation to technological and geopolitical shifts and distilled strategic lessons from Ukraine’s wartime experience for Europe’s long-term defense planning.
Policy Round Table: A closed-door policy round table convened policymakers, industry leaders, and investors for a candid exchange on what works, what fails, and where meaningful engagement with Ukraine is still lacking. The session featured SII’s analytical report, “Holding the Sky: Ukraine’s Air Defense Campaign (2022–2025),” outlining the evolution of Ukraine’s layered air defense system and identifying capability gaps requiring coordinated international action.
Through these engagements, the Snake Island Institute delegation represented Ukraine’s defense innovation and operational lessons to key international stakeholders, advancing both immediate dialogue and long-term collaboration.
