Zelenskyy says that the Ukrainian military shot down Shahed drones in the Middle East during the Iran war
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Ukrainian forces have shot down Iranian-made Shahed drones in several Middle Eastern countries during the Iran-Iran war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing the operations as part of a broader effort to help partners fight similar weapons used by Russia in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy made his first public acknowledgment of these activities on Wednesday when he spoke to reporters who had been blocked until Friday. He said that the Ukrainian military has participated in active operations abroad using domestically produced Interceptor aircraft that have been proven in combat against the Iranian-made Shahed aircraft used by Russia in Ukraine.
“This was not about a training mission or an exercise, but about support in building a modern air defense system that could really work,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine is participating in self-defense operations ahead of a Middle East ceasefire agreement between Iran, the United States and Israel this week.
Zelenskyy did not identify the countries involved but said Ukrainian personnel worked in many countries, helping to strengthen their air defense systems. Earlier he said that 228 Ukrainian experts were deployed in the region.
In exchange, Ukraine receives weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, as well as oil, diesel and, in some cases, financial arrangements, he said.
The Ukrainian leader said the agreements would strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and described the relationship as “marketable” as Kyiv seeks to legitimize and expand its role in defense exports.
“We are helping to strengthen their security so that we can contribute to strengthening our country,” he said. “This is more than just making money.”
The disclosure comes amid concerns that conflicts in the Middle East could divert Western military support to Ukraine, particularly air defense equipment.
He hopes the talks will continue
But Zelenskyy said the allies were continuing to supply missiles for the Patriot systems, adding that a new batch had arrived in recent days and that Ukraine was working with all its allies to ensure air defenses remained in place.
Zelenskyy also said that he urged US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Kyiv, noting that this proposal came before the ceasefire in the Middle East.
“I said to them: “Come to us, then go to Moscow. Let’s hold a meeting of the three countries in this way.” he said. “They have accepted this, but as we can see, they have decided that they will not be far from their president right now.”
As Iran attacks countries across the Persian Gulf, Ukraine makes defensive deals in the Middle East. Andrew Chang explains how Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran-built Shahed-designed submarines in its war with Russia could reshape the Middle East war and help regional allies rethink their defense strategies. Photos provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images
He said it is not yet clear whether the delegation will still visit Kyiv or whether the talks will take place in a third country. Regarding the content of the talks, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is preparing proposals on security guarantees to be presented to the United States and expressed hope that the talks will move forward.
US-led talks have made no progress on key issues, and Washington’s attention has shifted to conflicts in the Middle East while Russian and Ukrainian forces remain locked in battle along a 1,250-kilometer front line.
Separately, Zelenskyy said he expects Western allies to restore full sanctions on Russian oil, warning that any reduction would allow Moscow to continue its war and export important energy supplies.
Russia has been benefiting from rising global oil prices, caused by damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route for global oil supplies.
