Ukrainian drone operators will help fight Iranian shahids in the Middle East.

Ukrainian experts will soon begin helping protect targets in the Middle East from Iranian drone attacks. Kyiv is not yet disclosing the details of the agreements, but Air force tells what is known about this at the moment.

In response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against several Middle Eastern countries. While the air defense systems of these countries were generally prepared for ballistic missiles, Iran's massive use of suicide drones (primarily the Shahed) came as a surprise.

The defending sides are facing the same problem that Ukraine first encountered several years ago when repelling Russian strikes using Iranian drones (and later, their Russian-made derivatives). Shooting down relatively inexpensive "shaheeds" with expensive air defense missiles (such as the Patriot's PAC-3) is both financially unviable and irrational: Ukraine and its Western partners have limited stockpiles of such missiles, while Iran (like Russia) possesses thousands of "mopeds" (as Iranian drones are nicknamed for their obnoxious, moped-like sound).

On the subject: Russia is providing Iran with intelligence for strikes against US forces.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that in just the first few days of the conflict in the Middle East, more than 800 PAC-3 Patriot missiles, designed primarily to intercept ballistic targets, were expended.

"Ukraine has never had so many missiles to repel attacks," he emphasized.

This immediately drew attention to more cost-effective and effective methods of countering kamikaze drones, which Ukrainian forces had perfected during the war with Russia. The media reported on various innovations and tactical solutions that ultimately allowed the Ukrainian air defense to down over 80% of the drones launched.

One of the key areas is the use of interceptor drones. Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky stated last week that in February 2026, such interceptors destroyed more than 70% of the total number of downed Shahids.

It is not surprising that Ukraine's accumulated experience in countering Iranian (and Russian) drones has proven to be in high demand in the United States and among its Middle Eastern allies.

In the first days of the conflict, the Office of the President of Ukraine received requests for assistance from the leaders of Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy told the New York Times. On March 5, a similar request was received from the United States.

On March 9, at the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, it was discussed that 11 countries had already sent requests for assistance (Kyiv is not publicly disclosing the full list).

Why does Ukraine need this?

In an interview with Bloomberg on March 2 (most likely after the initial appeals), Zelenskyy took a rather hardline stance: "I would propose the following: Middle Eastern leaders have excellent relations with the Russians, and they could ask them to implement a month-long ceasefire. Once a ceasefire is reached, we will send our best drone interceptor operators to Middle Eastern countries."

He clarified that the ceasefire could last two weeks or two months—the main thing is that aid to the region does not harm Ukraine's own defense (he emphasized this in an interview with the New York Times).

However, after receiving a request directly from the US, Zelensky responded quickly: “I said: yes, we will send our experts.”

According to the New York Times, Ukraine has deployed interceptor drones and a team of drone specialists to protect American military bases in Jordan. The White House has not commented on the request to Ukraine.

The exchange comes at a sensitive political moment: on the same day that Zelenskyy claimed Washington's request arrived, Donald Trump, in an interview with Politico, again called the Ukrainian president "a bigger obstacle to a peace agreement" than the Russian leader.

"He has even fewer cards now," Trump said.

At a joint briefing with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Zelenskyy joked: "If you see more criticism, it means we're helping more and more. Our priority is helping people; everything else is secondary."

How exactly does Ukraine help?

Kyiv prefers not to disclose details for now.

Zelenskyy stated on March 9: "Ukraine is ready to respond positively to the requests of those who help us defend the lives of Ukrainians and Ukraine's independence. We have already responded to some of these requests with concrete decisions and concrete support."

His statements imply that he is talking about sending "capable experts" who can immediately begin combat operations. On March 8, Zelenskyy confirmed that he was referring specifically to military expertise.

Apparently, active Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel with real-life experience repelling massive Iranian-Russian drone attacks are being sent to the Middle East.

At the same time, Zelensky is promoting the idea of ​​a "barter": Ukraine could receive scarce PAC-3 Patriot missiles in exchange for its drone interceptors.

"Our call is very simple: we would like to quietly obtain for ourselves the deficit of these Patriot missiles from countries that can be named and those that cannot be named, and to transfer the corresponding number of interceptors," he said on March 6.

On Sunday, March 8, he confirmed that the offer remains in place, but it is too early to discuss details: “I think next week, when the experts are on site, they will look at it, help, and then we will move forward.”

Leading Ukrainian manufacturers of interceptor drones have already received inquiries from countries in the region, but until recently, exports of military-industrial products were effectively prohibited. These companies are ready to supply technologies and products promptly, without compromising the frontline, if the state grants the necessary permission.

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Over the course of the war, Ukraine has accumulated unique experience in effectively and cost-effectively countering massive attacks by Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones (the very same ones Iran is currently using against countries in the region and American bases). No other country has shot them down on such a scale or with such effectiveness, using interceptor drones, electronic warfare systems, and other low-cost solutions instead of expensive air defense missiles. When Iran began using the same Shahed drones against the US, Israel, and their allies in the Middle East, everyone immediately remembered who had been successfully doing this for several years. Hence the numerous requests to Kyiv.

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