Vindman, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Military Readiness Through Lessons from Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), a 25-year Army veteran, and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.-08), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced legislation that would require the Pentagon to study and apply lessons from Ukraine's battlefield innovations to U.S. military doctrine and training.

The Learning Effective Strategies and Systems Optimization for National Security (LESSONS) from Ukraine Act would require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress within 120 days on lessons the U.S. military can draw from the Russia-Ukraine War, including the use of drones and other unmanned systems, electronic and cyber warfare, air defense, operations without GPS or satellite communications, battlefield medicine, and Ukraine's efforts to expand and decentralize weapons production. The Pentagon would also be required to develop a plan and timetable for incorporating those lessons into U.S. military doctrine and training.

"Ukraine's defense against Russia has shown just how rapidly modern warfare is evolving. I saw that firsthand during my trip to Ukraine last month, where drones, electronic warfare, cyber operations, and defense manufacturing are reshaping the battlefield in real time," said Vindman. "As a 25-year Army veteran, I know our military must constantly learn, adapt, and innovate to maintain our strategic advantage and protect our service members. The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will ensure the Department of Defense learns from Ukraine's hard-earned experience and applies those lessons to our doctrine, training, and capabilities so our military is prepared for the threats of tomorrow."

"During my visit to Ukraine, I saw firsthand how the Ukrainians are rapidly adapting to a battlefield where drones and electronic warfare are changing how wars are fought," said Krishnamoorthi. "The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will make sure our military learns from what Ukraine has discovered through years of defending itself against Putin's invasion, from countering drone swarms and operating through electronic warfare to sustaining weapons production under attack. We need to put those lessons to work to strengthen our own military, protect our servicemembers, and ensure we are prepared to deter aggression across the world."

BACKGROUND

Vindman first announced the legislation following a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Ukraine, where he visited a Ukrainian drone production facility and met with officials to discuss the battlefield and Ukraine's rapidly evolving defense innovations.

In September 2026, Vindman voted to pass legislation that would impose sanctions on Russia.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Vindman spent 18 months investigating war crimes in Ukraine, completing 14 trips as a senior consultant for a Department of State-funded program. Since coming to Congress, he has returned to Ukraine twice on bipartisan congressional delegation trips. Vindman is a recognized expert in international criminal law and has published extensively on national security and international relations.

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