Ukraine deploys 201 drone specialists to the Gulf – the same Shaheds hitting the Middle East have hit Kyiv since 2022

Ukraine has deployed more than 200 military specialists to the Middle East to help partners defend against Iranian-made attack drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 17 March.

The deployment comes as tensions escalate across the Middle East following Iranian attacks targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and civilian sites in the region.

201 specialists deployed, 34 more ready

Speaking to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy said 201 Ukrainian experts are currently in the Middle East and Gulf region, with another 34 ready to deploy.

“These are military experts who know how to help and how to defend against such drones,” Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, Ukrainian teams have already arrived in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, while additional personnel are traveling to Kuwait.

Ukraine's expertise is in demand

Since Russia began using Iranian-made Shahed attack drone systems in large numbers in 2022, Ukraine has built extensive experience detecting and intercepting them during the war.

Zelenskyy said the deployment followed requests from partners, including the United States, and forms part of a broader “drone deal” proposed by Kyiv.

The initiative aims to expand practical cooperation with allies based on Ukraine’s battlefield experience with unmanned systems.

Kyiv offers the model to all partners

“We are ready to offer similar agreements to all our partners – from practical cooperation in the drone sphere to future defense alliances,” Zelenskyy said. “I don’t think anyone will want to leave Ukraine’s proven wartime capability outside their security system.”

Kyiv has begun presenting its battlefield experience with drones and air defense as a form of security cooperation with partner countries, arguing that lessons from the war with Russia can help others defend against similar threats.