Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is sending military drone-defence teams to the Middle East, offering its expertise to help regional allies counter drone attacks believed to be launched by Iran.
According to the Ukrainian president, specialist teams have already been deployed to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, while other Ukrainian experts are assisting the United States in protecting its military bases in Jordan.
Ukraine exporting drone-war expertise
Zelensky said Ukraine now has “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones.” This expertise comes from years of defending against drone attacks from Russia since the start of the Russia–Ukraine War.
Ukraine claims that the U.S. and about 10 other countries across Europe and the Middle East have asked Kyiv for help in defending against drone threats.
One major challenge facing Middle Eastern air-defence systems is the cost imbalance:
- Many countries use million-dollar missiles to shoot down relatively cheap Iranian-made Shahed drones.
- Ukraine has instead developed low-cost interceptor drones that can destroy enemy drones more cheaply and in large numbers.
Ukraine is now offering both its drone technology and operational know-how to partner countries.
Strategic goals behind the move
The deployments are not purely military assistance. Kyiv also hopes to gain political, financial, and defence benefits from the arrangement.
Zelensky emphasized that countries requesting help should also support Ukraine’s defence, especially by supplying advanced air-defence systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot, which Ukraine needs to intercept Russian ballistic and cruise missiles.
Ukraine is also interested in:
- Selling interceptor drones to raise funds for its war effort.
- Strengthening diplomatic ties with Gulf countries, many of which have tried to remain neutral in the war with Russia.
Domestic concerns in Ukraine
The move has also raised concerns inside Ukraine. Some critics question why drone technology and expertise are being shared abroad when the country still faces constant attacks.
Zelensky insists the cooperation will ultimately benefit Ukraine’s defence, because partners receiving help will be expected to increase military support in return.
Political context
The announcement also comes amid tensions with U.S. policy. Since returning to power, Donald Trump has reduced direct U.S. aid to Ukraine and pushed for peace negotiations with Russia. His proposals have been criticized in Kyiv as being too favorable to Moscow.
Meanwhile, one of the biggest sticking points in peace talks remains Russia’s demand that Ukraine concede territory in the Donbas region, particularly the Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast, which are largely under Russian control but still claimed by Ukraine.
Zelensky suggested that Ukraine’s growing drone expertise has given Kyiv new strategic leverage, saying it feels significant that Western partners are now asking Ukraine for help rather than only providing it.
