Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukraine has deployed military units to five Middle Eastern countries to help protect critical and civilian infrastructure against drones, security council secretary Rustem Umerov said after visiting the region. The teams were sent to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.
Deployment and coordination
Umerov said Ukrainian military specialists were operating in each of the five countries under the coordination of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. He said further steps for “long-term security cooperation” had been outlined with each nation, without providing details.
Demand for drone defence assistance
Kyiv has said nearly a dozen countries have sought its help and advice in defending against cheap kamikaze drones used by Iran against its Gulf neighbours. Russia has launched similar drones at Ukraine since its 2022 invasion, and Kyiv has developed interceptor drone capabilities.
Costs and supply constraints
Although Gulf states operate sophisticated U.S.-made air defence systems, the missiles they use are in short supply and cost much more than Iran’s Shahed drones.
Scale of drone attacks
Moscow has bombarded Ukraine with nearly 60,000 Shaheds and similar systems, initially buying thousands from Iran before establishing production facilities to make them under licence. Ukraine has also launched drone attacks at Russia, although on a smaller scale.
Kyiv seeks compensation and technology
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv wanted money and technology in return for its help in the Middle East, although terms still had to be agreed. Zelenskiy said the United States was among the nations that sought Kyiv’s help and that Ukrainian specialists had been sent to a U.S. military base in Jordan, adding that there were over 200 Ukrainian military experts in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied Washington needs Kyiv’s help in downing drones. Umerov said drone interception units were initially protecting civilian and critical infrastructure and work was under way to expand coverage areas.
What should be the scope of Ukraine’s long-term security cooperation with Middle Eastern countries?