Ukraine is using its drone expertise to help 5 countries against Iran attacks, Zelenskyy says

Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian officials are assisting five countries across the Middle East and Gulf in defending against Iranian drone attacks, while the United States and several European nations have also sought Kyiv’s expertise.

Ukraine is additionally exploring a possible role in safeguarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran conflict, Zelensky said on Friday.

Ukraine has emerged as a leading producer of cost-effective, battle-tested drone interceptors, which have become central to its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fifth year. “Our teams are already working with five countries on countering ‘Shahed’ drones — we have provided expert assessments and are helping build a defense system,” Zelensky said in a post on X.

Iran—a key ally of Russia—has supplied Moscow with Shahed drones widely used in the war. Tehran and Moscow deepened ties last year through a broad cooperation agreement.

Zelensky has previously indicated Kyiv is willing to share drone-defense expertise with Gulf nations targeted by Iranian drones in exchange for advanced air defense missiles, which Ukraine urgently needs to counter continued Russian aerial assaults. Kyiv is concerned that the escalating Iran war could strain global missile stockpiles and limit future supplies.

Protecting critical infrastructure

Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said Ukrainian interceptor units have already been deployed in parts of the Middle East to help protect civilian and critical infrastructure, with plans to expand those efforts.

Zelensky added that 228 Ukrainian experts are currently operating in the region. He also said the United States has requested technical support for its forces in two areas, while Ukraine is reviewing similar requests from European partners stationed there.

Kyiv had earlier proposed a drone cooperation deal to the US—including interceptor, naval, and long-range drones—but the status of that partnership remains uncertain. Zelensky recently said Ukraine is awaiting White House approval for a production agreement, though Donald Trump appeared to dismiss the offer, stating in a radio interview that the US does not require Ukrainian assistance on drone defense.

Diplomatic push resumes

Zelensky also confirmed that Ukraine has sent an official delegation to the United States to revive stalled, US-brokered negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. The talks had been paused as global attention shifted to the Iran conflict, and the White House has yet to confirm any new meetings with the Ukrainian delegation.