Six Countries Have Asked Ukraine for Help Countering Iranian Drones — Zelensky
Ukraine has received requests from six Middle Eastern countries for assistance in countering Iranian drones. A Ukrainian delegation is currently working in the Gulf region, and the scope of possible support will be determined after their return, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint media briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelensky said Ukrainian specialists have already been sent to several countries to assess needs. “Today we have requests from six countries for assistance. Experts have been sent to three countries. There is a separate request from the United States regarding Jordan. Once they return, we will understand the extent of the support our partners expect from us,” he said.
He added that while some countries in the Middle East, as well as the US and EU, have drone-interceptor systems, these systems are ineffective without Ukrainian experts and specialized software. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is already using such a system successfully in its own air defense.
“Even with dozens or hundreds of interceptors, the situation cannot be resolved without a systemic defense. That is why experts in systemic air defense — specialists in air defense and short-range air defense — have been sent to these Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Iranian Shahed-type strike drones pose a serious challenge to US air defense systems. Ukraine has deployed three teams of experts to the Gulf region to work specifically on countering Shahed drones.
