Ukraine sends drone interception experts to Middle East as Iran conflict escalates

The specialists will travel with equipment needed to help counter drone attacks, Zelenskyy said, while noting that Ukraine also needs certain defense systems.

“If we are talking about increasing certain capabilities, we would very much like this to be an opportunity for both sides. You know which capabilities we lack, and we understand which capabilities the Gulf countries lack. So we are discussing this track as well. For now, it is too early to talk about other details. Next week, when the experts are on the ground, they will assess the situation and provide assistance, because they are arriving with capabilities,” the president said.

On March 5, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received a request from the United States for help defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East. He said he had instructed officials to provide the necessary systems and ensure Ukrainian specialists were present to help guarantee security in the region.

Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that the United States had asked for assistance protecting its bases and troops in several Middle Eastern countries. Zelenskyy subsequently issued the appropriate directive to Ukraine’s military.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said he had instructed the foreign minister, defense minister, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, as well as military command and intelligence agencies to develop options for supporting Middle Eastern countries without weakening Ukraine’s own defenses.

On March 2, Bloomberg reported after speaking with Zelenskyy by phone that the president had proposed sending Ukraine’s best specialists in destroying Iranian drones to the Middle East if leaders of those countries could persuade Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to agree to a one-month ceasefire in the war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said a ceasefire could also last two months or even two weeks so Ukraine could assist Middle Eastern countries.

The president also suggested Ukraine could exchange interceptor drones for missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Zelenskyy explained that Gulf countries possess PAC-3 missiles, but using them to shoot down Iranian drones would be inefficient.

Ukraine could provide interceptor drones and receive missiles in return, which are currently in short supply.

A joint U.S.–Israeli operation against Iran began on Feb. 28. The countries launched strikes on Tehran and other major cities. The 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an attack on his residence on the first day of the operation.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel. Iranian missiles and drones also targeted U.S. military bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Multiple explosions were reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

The exchanges of strikes continued in subsequent days. According to U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. war with Iran is expected to last about four weeks.