President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has deployed 201 military experts specializing in anti-drone defense to the Middle East and Gulf region to assist allies in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones.

Zelenskyy made the revelation during an address to British lawmakers in London on March 17, 2026, amid his European tour to sustain support for Ukraine's defense against Russia. He specified that teams are already operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with additional personnel en route to Kuwait. Agreements are in place with several other countries, and the effort supports 11 nations in the region, including the United States.

"Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait," Zelenskyy told UK parliament members. "These are military experts who know how to help, how to defend against Shahed drones." He added, "We do not want this terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbors to succeed."

An additional 34 experts stand ready for deployment, according to Zelenskyy, bringing potential totals near 245 personnel. The deployment responds to requests from international partners facing escalating threats from low-cost Iranian Shahed attack drones, similar to those Russia has launched against Ukraine since 2022.

Ukraine's specialists bring over four years of battlefield experience intercepting Shahed drones, achieving high success rates through cost-effective methods. These include cheap interceptor drones, truck-mounted machine guns, and advanced tracking software accessible via iPads that maps threats and interception points. Ukrainian interceptors prove more economical than the expensive missiles used by some Gulf states.

The initiative underscores deepening Russia-Iran military ties, with Moscow providing intelligence to Tehran amid regional conflicts. Zelenskyy linked the deployments to broader security concerns, warning that indifference to Iranian drone threats ignores Ukraine's proven capabilities. "What is happening around Iran today is not a faraway war for us — because of the cooperation between Russia and Iran," he stated.

Ukraine has proposed expanded drone defense cooperation, including with Washington, positioning its expertise for future partnerships and arms deals. Zelenskyy emphasized systemic protection over isolated purchases, noting Ukraine's capacity to produce 2,000 interceptors daily.

The announcement coincides with heightened Middle East tensions, where Shahed drones target Gulf infrastructure, and Zelenskyy's efforts to counter the shifting global focus from Ukraine's war.