Volodymyr Zelensky said that he has sent hundreds of anti-drone experts to help the US take down Iranian UAVs.
A statement posted by the Ukrainian President’s Office said, “There are currently 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Gulf region, with another 34 experts ready to be deployed.”
Zelensky said the deployment was part of a “Drone Deal” he proposed to President Donald Trump. “I sent these military experts at the request of our partners – including the United States. In fact, this is part of the Drone Deal we proposed to the United States, which we worked on together and which is still on the table.” He continued, “And we are ready to offer similar deals to all our reliable partners – from practical cooperation on drones to future defense alliances.”
The head of state argued that Kiev was uniquely positioned to provide anti-drone assistance to its allies, as Russia has used Iranian drones throughout the war in Ukraine.
“What is happening around Iran today is not a faraway war for us – because of the cooperation between Russia and Iran. And we do not believe we have the right to be indifferent,” Zelensky said. “In Ukraine, we stop one such drone with two or three interceptors, small interceptors costing less than 10,000 dollars in total. So our approach is far more cost-effective than anything our partners use today.”
However, Ukraine is facing a manpower shortage and is struggling to maintain its air defenses. Kiev has relied on aid from NATO members to continue training and arming its conscripts for combat.
Zelensky may see the move as a way to gain favor with Trump. The American president has lashed out at NATO allies who have refused to get involved in the Middle East war started by the US and Israel.
