Ukraine has deployed its electronic warfare systems and interceptor drones to the Middle East, successfully downing Iranian Shahed suicide drones in several Gulf countries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. Ukrainian military teams dispatched last month have already intercepted the Iranian drones in nations hosting US military infrastructure, with Zelenskyy citing video evidence of the operations.

Speaking from Kyiv, Zelenskyy revealed that over 200 Ukrainian experts were deployed to the region in March, along with interceptor drones and electronic warfare devices. The operation comes as Shahed drones have attacked US bases in the region since late February, killing and wounding American soldiers. Ukraine has been defending against these drones since Russia began using them in its war on Ukraine in late 2022.

Zelenskyy emphasized the cost-effectiveness of Ukraine's drone interceptors, priced between $1,000 and $3,000, compared to Patriot interceptors costing millions of dollars. The president is leveraging Ukraine's defense expertise to forge lucrative security partnerships, signing 10-year deals with three Gulf countries while negotiations continue with Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. This marks a significant expansion of Ukraine's defense industry capabilities and international partnerships.