Ukraine has offered to help the United States and its Middle Eastern partners counter Iranian drone attacks, drawing on its extensive battlefield experience gained during the war with Russia. On March 5, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Washington had requested Kyiv’s assistance in protecting regional targets from drone strikes. The proposal comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns over Iranian drone operations targeting military bases and infrastructure.
Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to share its technology and deploy specialists to assist partners facing drone attacks. “We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against ‘Shahed’ drones in the Middle East region,” he said, adding that he had instructed officials to provide the necessary resources and personnel. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv would help allies while ensuring that Ukraine’s own defenses remain intact.
Ukraine’s battlefield expertise
The assistance focuses on countering the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drone, a low-cost one-way attack drone that has become a central weapon in modern conflicts. Russia has used thousands of these drones against Ukrainian cities since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, forcing Ukraine to develop new tactics and technologies to intercept them. This experience has positioned Ukraine as one of the world’s most experienced militaries in defending against large-scale drone attacks.
Ukrainian officials say the country could provide technical advisors, operational training, and interceptor drones capable of destroying incoming UAVs mid-air. Some Ukrainian anti-drone systems cost only a few thousand dollars, offering a far cheaper alternative to traditional air-defense missiles that can cost millions per launch. Military analysts say such cost-effective solutions are increasingly attractive as drone warfare spreads across multiple regions.
Recent developments in the Middle East have accelerated interest in Ukraine’s expertise. After the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iranian targets in early March 2026, Iranian-linked forces reportedly responded with waves of drone attacks on U.S. facilities and allied infrastructure in the region. Several Middle Eastern countries—including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait—have reportedly discussed cooperation with Kyiv on counter-drone defense.
For Ukraine, the proposal is both strategic and diplomatic. By exporting its hard-earned drone defense knowledge, Kyiv hopes to strengthen international partnerships and reinforce global support for its own war effort. “Ukraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people,” Zelenskyy said, framing the initiative as part of a broader network of security cooperation among countries facing similar threats.
