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Ukrainian military personnel have already successfully shot down Iranian Shahed-type drones targeting countries in the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed in his first public acknowledgement of Kyiv’s specialists’ first results in the Gulf region.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian experts on the ground are part of a broader Kyiv’s effort “to help partners counter the same weapons used by Russia in Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s president made these remarks to reporters on Wednesday, but the briefing content was embargoed until Friday.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces took part in active operations using domestically produced interceptor drones.
“We sent our military experts to the Middle East, including specialists in interceptor drones and electronic warfare. We demonstrated to some countries how to work with interceptors,” he said, revealing for the first time Kyiv’s strategy following the cooperation agreements with the Gulf countries.
“Did we destroy Iranian Shaheds? Yes, we did. Did we do it in just one country? No, in several. And in my view, this is a success.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s military presence on the ground is “not about a training mission or exercises, but about support in building a modern air defence system that can actually work.”
“In those countries that opened up their air defence systems to us, our experts were able to very quickly advise how to make those systems stronger.”
“In some cases, we directly shared our experience in actual defence. In any case, all of this has had a very positive outcome, and it commands respect for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine’s agreements with the Gulf states
Kyiv signed 10-year agreements with three Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, where Ukrainian companies will work with the armed forces of these countries to protect specific facilities, Zelenskyy said at the Wednesday briefing.
“My task is to negotiate volumes, services, and types of weaponry,” he stated.
Zelenskyy also confirmed that the talks are currently under way with Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
In return for Kyiv’s support and expertise, Ukraine will receive “various things,” according to Zelenskyy.
“In some cases, it involves interceptors to protect our energy infrastructure; in others, there are financial arrangements.”
He said that ultimately these agreements will strengthen Ukraine’s energy stability.
“There are also supplies of oil and diesel for Ukraine. In some cases, we receive crude oil that will be delivered to refineries in Europe for processing. In others, we are talking about finished products – diesel,” Zelenskyy explained.
“So in essence, we are helping strengthen their security in exchange for contributions to our country’s resilience – and this is far more than simply receiving money.”
Zelenskyy said earlier that Ukrainian military personnel are also participating in consultations on the functioning of the Strait of Hormuz.