Zelensky says over 200 Ukrainian experts deployed to Middle East to counter Iranian drones

More than 200 Ukrainian military experts have been deployed to the Middle East and Gulf region to help defend against Iranian drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo: EPA/DAVID CLIFF

Speaking in an address to Britain’s parliament, Zelensky said 201 Ukrainian specialists were already in the region, with another 34 ready to deploy, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported.

"These are military experts—experts who know how to help, how to defend against Shahed drones," Zelensky said. "Our teams are already in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait."

Zelensky: Over 200 Ukrainian experts in Middle East helping defend against Shahed drones https://t.co/cuQnBhYUHK pic.twitter.com/EhvhfQVLCz

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) March 17, 2026

He added that the deployments were made at the request of partners including the United States and that Ukraine was also cooperating with several other countries.

“We do not want this terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbours to succeed,” Zelensky said.

Ukrainian president delivers speech in the British Parliament

Lawmakers gave him a standing ovation before the speech.

Zelensky showed footage of the March 14 strike on Ukraine. He reminded that Russia is attacking the country with Iranian “Shahed” drones, and now the same… pic.twitter.com/qdldtKbKmW

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 17, 2026

Countries in the Gulf have faced repeated attacks from Iran, including with Shahed drones that Tehran has also supplied to Russia, where they have become a key weapon in the war against Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported.

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Source: PAP, Ukrinform, Reuters