Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces shot down Shahed drones in Middle East during Iran war

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Ukrainian military personnel shot down Iranian-designed Shahed drones in multiple Middle Eastern countries during the Iran war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing the operations as part of a broader effort to help partners counter the same weapons used by Russia in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy made his first public acknowledgment of the operations Wednesday in remarks to reporters that were embargoed until Friday. He said Ukrainian forces took part in active operations abroad using domestically produced interceptor drones proven in countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia in Ukraine.

“This was not about a training mission or exercises, but about support in building a modern air defence system that can actually work,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine took part in the defensive operations before the tentative ceasefire in the Middle East was reached among Iran, the United States and Israel this week.

Zelenskyy did not identify the countries involved but said Ukrainian personnel operated across several nations, helping strengthen their air defence systems. He previously said that 228 Ukrainian experts were deployed in the region.

In exchange, Ukraine is receiving weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, along with oil, diesel and, in some cases, financial arrangements, he said.

The Ukrainian leader said the agreements would bolster Ukraine’s energy stability and described the partnerships as something that would “be marketed” as Kyiv seeks to formalize and expand its defence export role.

“We are helping strengthen their security in exchange for contributions to our country’s resilience,” he said. “This is far more than simply receiving money.”

A residential building in Sumy, Ukraine was hit in July 2023 by a suicide drone. Local authorities considered the drone to be an Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Shahed-131/136. ( State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy Region/Reuters)

The disclosure comes amid concerns that conflict in the Middle East could divert Western military support from Ukraine, particularly air defence supplies.

Hopes talks to resume

But Zelenskyy said that partners were continuing to supply missiles for Patriot systems, adding that a new batch had arrived in recent days and that Ukraine was working with all partners to ensure its air defence remained in place.

Zelenskyy also said he had urged U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Kyiv, noting the offer came before a ceasefire in the Middle East.

“I told them: “Come to us, and then go to Moscow. Let’s hold a trilateral meeting in this format.” he said. “They were receptive to this, but as we can see, they decided they cannot be far from their president right now.”

WATCH | How Ukraine’s experience fighting drones is being used elsewhere:

Is Ukraine about to enter the war in the Middle East? | About That

As Iran strikes countries across the Persian Gulf, Ukraine is making defence agreements in the Middle East. Andrew Chang explains how Ukraine’s expertise in fighting Iranian-designed Shahed drones in its war with Russia could reshape the war in the Middle East and help regional allies rethink their defence strategies.

Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images

He said it remained unclear whether the envoys would still visit Kyiv or whether talks would instead take place in a third country. On the substance of discussions, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is preparing proposals on security guarantees to present to the United States and expressed hope diplomacy would move forward.

The U.S.-led talks have made no progress on key issues, and Washington’s attention has switched to the Middle East conflict while the Russian and Ukrainian armies remain locked in battle on the roughly 1,250-kilometre front line.

Separately, Zelenskyy said he expects Western allies to restore full sanctions on Russian oil, warning that any easing could allow Moscow to sustain its war effort and offload key energy assets.

Russia has been profiting from a surge in global energy prices, brought on by damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf and Iran’s blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route for global oil supplies.