Ukraine will provide counter-drone expertise and equipment to the United States and several Middle Eastern partners to help defend against Iranian-designed unmanned systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week.
Zelenskyy said multiple countries have approached Kyiv seeking assistance in countering Iranian-made drones, including the 米国 and regional partners such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan そして Kuwait. He confirmed that Ukraine will share both technical knowledge and operational experience gained during the war with Russia.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian assistance will only be provided if it does not weaken Ukraine’s own air defenses and if it strengthens Kyiv’s diplomatic position in efforts to end Russia’s invasion.
“We help to defend from war those who help us, Ukraine, bring a just end to the war,” Zelenskyy said.
U.S. requests Ukrainian support
Zelenskyy later confirmed that Washington had formally requested assistance. In response, he ordered Ukrainian officials to prepare the delivery of equipment along with teams of Ukrainian specialists to support counter-drone efforts in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled openness to the cooperation, saying in an interview that the United States would accept support from partner nations.
The growing interest in Ukraine’s expertise reflects the country’s extensive experience defending against Iranian-designed loitering munitions used by Russia throughout the war. Since the start of the invasion, Moscow has launched tens of thousands of Shahed drones at Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, including large-scale attacks involving hundreds of drones in a single night.
Battlefield innovation draws international interest
Ukraine’s defense sector has developed several low-cost solutions for countering drone threats, including interceptor drones designed specifically to hunt and destroy Shahed systems. Some of these systems reportedly cost as little as $1,000, significantly cheaper than traditional air defense interceptors.
The rapid expansion of Ukraine’s drone industry has also created excess production capacity, which Kyiv has signaled it may export to partner nations.
European security planners have also taken note of the changing air defense landscape. In September last year, Poland scrambled high-value assets, including fighter aircraft and helicopters, in response to airspace violations by low-cost drones.
Conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East interconnected
The increasing use of Iranian drones across multiple regions has drawn attention from international policymakers. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said discussions between European Union and Gulf officials are examining how Ukraine’s battlefield experience can help other countries counter similar threats.
At the same time, Zelenskyy said rising tensions involving Iran have complicated diplomatic efforts related to the war in Ukraine. A new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia that had been expected this week has been postponed.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials argue that the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are strategically linked. Oleksandr Merezhko said Russia and Iran maintain close military cooperation, with Iran supplying weapons while Moscow assists Tehran’s defense industry.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have recently conducted localized counterattacks along parts of the roughly 1,250-kilometer frontline. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian troops regained more territory than they lost during the final weeks of February, recovering an estimated 257 square kilometers since the start of the year.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s willingness to share its counter-drone capabilities is part of a broader strategy of supporting partners that back Kyiv’s defense efforts.
“Ukraine helps partners who help our security and the protection of our people’s lives,” he said.
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