Zelenskyy: Ukrainian experts help Middle East to defend against Iranian drones VIDEO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that more than 200 Ukrainian military experts are stationed across the Gulf states and the wider Middle East, assisting governments in defending against Iranian drone attacks.

Speaking on March 17 before members of the UK Parliament in London, Zelenskyy noted that 201 Ukrainian specialists are already deployed in the region, with another 34 “ready for deployment.” 

Right now, there are 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Gulf region. And another 34 are ready to deploy.

These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against “shahed” drones. Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the… pic.twitter.com/euID5BBqUt

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026

“These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against ‘shahed’ drones,” he said, referring to the Iranian kamikaze drones Russia has used in its war against Ukraine since 2022.

“Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait. We are working with several other countries – agreements are already in place. We do not want this terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbours to succeed,” Zelenskyy added. Last week, he noted that military groups had also been sent to other Gulf states and Jordan.

Zelenskyy, who earlier met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, said that Russia received Shahed-136 drones from Iran, which “taught Russia how to launch them and gave it the technology to produce them.” 

“Russia then upgraded them. And now we have clear evidence that Iranian ‘shaheds’ used in the region contain Russian components,” calling the drones a tool for “low-cost destruction of the expensive critical infrastructure,” Ukrainian leader said.

About 3 years ago, Russia received “shaheds” from the Iranian regime. These are drones designed for the low-cost destruction of the expensive critical infrastructure targets. Iran taught Russia how to launch them and gave it the technology to produce them. Russia then upgraded… pic.twitter.com/8n82BZqAfK

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026

“So what is happening around Iran today is not a faraway war for us – because of the cooperation between Russia and Iran.  The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred – and that is why they are brothers in weapons. And we want regimes built on hatred to never win – in anything,” Zelenskyy added.

He also highlighted Ukraine’s recent achievements in drone technology and production, noting that 90% of Russian frontline losses in Ukraine are caused by Ukrainian drones. 

He stated that Ukraine has moved from producing maritime and aerial drones to interceptors designed to counter drones, adding that the country can manufacture at least 2,000 interceptors per day—half for its own defence and the rest for allies.

“If a 'shahed' needs to be stopped in the Emirates – we can do it. If it needs to be stopped in Europe or the United Kingdom – we can do it. It is a matter of technology, investment, and cooperation,” Zelenskyy stressed.

First, we are capable of producing at least 2,000 effective and combat-proven interceptors every day. We can produce more – it depends on investment. We need about 1,000 interceptors a day, and we can supply at least another 1,000 a day to our allies.

Second, we know how to… pic.twitter.com/vIB2qRho8P

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026

While Ukraine has become a leading producer of combat-tested modern drone interceptors, US President Donald Trump reportedly said he does not require Ukrainian assistance to counter Iranian drones targeting military sites in the Middle East. 

Following a meeting with Zelenskyy at Downing Street, Keir Starmer emphasised that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not benefit from the Iran conflict, whether through oil prices or easing sanctions.

During his March 17 visit to London, Zelenskyy and UK officials signed a defence partnership agreement, aimed at combining “Ukraine’s experience with the UK industrial base for drone production and innovative developments.”

By Jeyhun Aghazada