Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday that Ukraine has dispatched dozens of military experts to at least four countries in the Middle East to assist in shooting down Iranian-made drones. The operation follows repeated reports of unauthorized drone deployments in the region, which have raised concerns about proliferation and regional security.
Zelenskyy did not specify which countries received the teams but stated they are operating across multiple locations. The teams are equipped with specialized training and technology to identify and disable Shahed-series drones, which have been linked to recent strikes in Ukraine and other conflict zones. Ukrainian officials have previously accused Iran of supplying these drones to Russia for use in the war.
The announcement comes as regional governments increase efforts to counter unauthorized aerial threats. Middle Eastern nations have reported sporadic drone sightings near critical infrastructure, though most incidents remain unverified. Regional security analysts suggest the drones may be operated by non-state actors or foreign-backed groups.
Ukraine’s involvement underscores its growing role in counter-drone warfare, a priority since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Ukrainian forces have destroyed hundreds of Iranian drones inside the country, according to defense ministry reports. The deployment abroad marks a shift in strategy, expanding Ukraine’s defensive operations beyond its borders.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the mission aims to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East. He called on international partners to support efforts to curb the spread of Iranian drones, which he described as a threat to global security.
Source: tu.no