The Russian-Iranian regime now coordinates attacks in Europe and the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. He emphasizes that both regions need synchronized protection against drones and missiles.
“Life in Europe and life in the Middle East deserve equally effective protection. We are working to help defend against Shahed drones,” he says.
Ukraine to shares air defense expertise on condition
Zelenskyy previously said Ukraine is ready to share air defense experience with Middle Eastern countries, but only if these countries help stop Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Currently, Kyiv is sending military specialists to Gulf countries. This comes as Ukraine offers assistance to intercept Iranian drones using its own interceptor drones. Kyiv plans to provide expertise and experience from Ukrainian forces to defend against Shahed drones and cruise missiles, per UNIAN.
“We see how many air defense systems, including Patriots, exist in the Middle East, but this is not enough against modern attacks and technologies. Ukraine has the expertise and experience,” the Ukrainian president stresses.
Ukraine has world’s largest experience in air defense
He adds that Ukraine has the world's largest air defense experience and produces its own systems. This experience is being shared with close friends and partners in Europe.
Since 2022, Kyiv has tracked and intercepted about 57,000 drones, developing multi-level, cost-effective interception networks.
“Fairly, we expect that our protection will be supported by assistance and that Russia will feel consequences not only for prolonging this war against us, but also for attempting to scale it further,” Zelenskyy adds.
PURL program and Patriot system: key to protecting civilian life
Zelenskyy has thanked every leader and country that has contributed to the PURL program, which allows Ukraine to purchase American air defense missiles, including Patriot systems. These are the only systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
“We all agree on the risks from Iranian strikes and the need for air defense missiles in the Middle East. It is important that life protection is ensured here in Ukraine as well,” Zelenskyy notes.
In recent months, Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine with ballistic and hypersonic missiles, with 91 in January and 121 in February.
