Integration of Ukrainian veterans into the civil-military sphere and the expansion of Ukraine’s wartime experience are essential tools for strengthening strategic partnerships and countering the Russian threat, said Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR). Speaking at the first official in-person event of the Snake Island Institute, Skibitskyi said: “The experience we have gained through this modern conflict – the use of new technologies, new types of weaponry, new methodologies, and tactics – is invaluable today.” According to the deputy intelligence chief, Ukraine is already influencing how modern warfare is being approached beyond its borders. As an example, he cited Israel’s response to Iranian drone attacks, where Ukrainian tactics against kamikaze drones – particularly the use of helicopters – were adopted. Skibitskyi also warned that Moscow is actively preparing its armed forces for a direct military confrontation with NATO by 2030. In this context, Ukraine’s experience of resistance, adaptation, and innovation could become a critical factor in shaping the West’s collective security framework. The event, held in Kyiv by the Snake Island Institute, brought together representatives of military leadership, government institutions, the expert community, international partners, and civil society. The focus was on enhancing strategic cooperation between Ukraine and the US, particularly in the areas of security, defense technologies, and analytical development. As noted by initiative co-founder Vladyslav Sobolevskyi, the Snake Island Institute was established in response to the need for systematic cooperation with US institutions. The organization conducts regular briefings for Congress, prepares analytical reports, leads advocacy campaigns, develops defense technologies, and organizes hackathons aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The outcomes of the event will form the basis of analytical recommendations that the Institute is preparing together with Ukrainian and international partners. These recommendations are intended to deepen defense cooperation with the US and its allies.