LONDON March 17, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the immediate deployment of 201 Ukrainian military experts to the Middle East and Gulf region to help allies defend against Iranian “Shahed” drones, with another 34 specialists on standby for rapid deployment.
In an address to the UK Parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian teams are already operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with additional personnel en route to Kuwait. Agreements for further cooperation have been secured with several other countries in the region.
“These are military experts who know how to help, how to defend against ‘shahed’ drones. Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait,” Zelenskyy said. “We do not want this terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbors to succeed.”
The move was made at the direct request of Ukraine’s partners, including the United States, and forms part of a proposed “Drone Deal” that Kyiv has been negotiating with Washington. Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine stands ready to extend similar partnerships — ranging from practical drone cooperation to future defence alliances — to all reliable partners.
“We are ready to offer similar deals to all our reliable partners – from practical cooperation on drones to future defence alliances,” he added. “The United Kingdom sees these opportunities clearly – our agreements are always solid, and I’m glad that today we have signed a declaration with the Prime Minister.”
The declaration signed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer establishes an enhanced UK-Ukraine security and defence industrial partnership. It focuses on joint drone production, accelerated development of air-defence systems under the Lyra programme, licensed UK production of Ukrainian interceptor drones, and the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence in Kyiv. The pact leverages Ukraine’s hard-won battlefield expertise against low-cost drones alongside Britain’s industrial base.
This latest announcement builds on earlier deployments reported in early March, when Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian anti-drone teams had been sent to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE following requests from multiple Gulf states and the US to protect bases and critical infrastructure from Iranian drone barrages.
Ukraine’s proven success in intercepting thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces has turned its counter-drone tactics and technologies into a valuable global asset. Kyiv is now positioning itself as a key security partner, exchanging expertise for advanced air-defence systems and long-term defence-industrial collaboration.
The development comes as Iranian drone and missile attacks intensify across the Middle East, targeting US allies and regional infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s message was clear: Ukraine’s war-proven capabilities are not only helping defend its own territory but are now actively contributing to international security — a strategic shift that strengthens alliances and deters aggression from the Russia-Iran axis.
Source: Official address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (X post, 17 March 2026) and corroborated reports from UK Government, international media and prior Ukrainian statements.
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