Norway's 'Viking mentality' training sharpens Ukrainian troops for war

Norway is running Operation Legio, a new multinational training program that blends Ukrainian battlefield experience with NATO tactics and a warrior culture drawn from Viking heritage. The effort, based at Camp Jomsborg in southeastern Poland, puts Ukrainian soldiers through 51-day rotations of live-fire drills, night operations, and simulated combat conditions.

The Telemark Battalion, an elite Norwegian mechanized infantry unit, leads the instruction. The battalion uses a Viking ship as its emblem and its battle cry is "To Valhalla!" Maj. John, the battalion's S3 operations officer, told Business Insider that the unit draws its warrior mentality from Viking culture – not aggression for its own sake, but discipline and the ability to thrive in harsh conditions.

"We take the best parts of that Viking mentality and then apply it to the ethical and moral standards that are required of our soldiers," John said. He asked to be identified by only his first name for security reasons.

Camp Jomsborg, named after the legendary Viking fortress, opened in 2025 and began its fifth rotation in late May. Eleven nations contribute personnel, but Norway acts as the framework nation, providing the main structure and leadership. The camp is purpose-built, with Viking-themed signage and streets named after Norse figures like Thor.

Brigadier Atle Molde, commander of Task Force Legio, said the Viking identity helps build unit cohesion. "For one reason or another, the whole Viking mythology, the Ukrainians like that," he said.

The training is built around Ukrainian requests. Ukraine outlines what it needs, and partners structure the curriculum around those requirements, with Ukrainian instructors helping to lead sessions. John said defining the program as a Ukrainian training center means Ukraine can "hold us accountable for quality and delivering that realistic training."

Many Ukrainian soldiers arriving at Camp Jomsborg already have years of high-intensity combat experience, something their Norwegian instructors lack. Norwegian leaders described the training as an exchange: Ukraine's battlefield lessons shape what NATO partners teach, while Western forces bring institutional knowledge and NATO standard operating procedures.

"It's quite incredible how eager to learn they are in general," Jørgen, a Norwegian instructor, told Business Insider. "It kind of confirms how good the guys are."

The main goal, John said, is to increase the lethality and survivability of every Ukrainian soldier before they return to the front line. The program is updated regularly based on Ukrainian feedback.

Molde said the Telemark Battalion's warrior mentality is positive as long as it drives unit cohesion and a shared purpose. "So long as it has a positive effect, it's a good thing," he said.