Finance
Zelenskiy says Ukraine will help US to counter iranian drones
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Ukraine has agreed to assist the U.S. in countering Iranian Shahed drone threats in the Middle East by deploying specialists and necessary resources, leveraging its experience developed during the war with Russia.
Ukraine to Support U.S. Efforts Against Iranian Drones, Zelenskiy Confirms
Ukraine's Role in Countering Iranian Drone Threats
U.S. Request for Assistance
KYIV, March 5 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Ukraine would provide assistance to the U.S. in response to its request for help in dealing with Iranian drones in the Middle East.
Tehran has fired hundreds of drones at U.S. targets in neighboring countries after the U.S. and Israel began a massive campaign of air strikes against Iran on Saturday.
Ukraine's Expertise with Shahed Drones
During its war with Russia, Ukraine has developed highly effective means of downing the Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drone, which Moscow has been using for much of the four-year war.
Zelenskiy's Statement on Support
"We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against 'Shaheds' in the Middle East region," Zelenskiy wrote in English on the X social media platform.
"I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security."
Details of the Assistance
Scope and Timeline
The U.S. had requested assistance in protecting its bases and soldiers in certain countries in the region, according to a source familiar with the matter, who said Zelenskiy had instructed his military to do so.
Ukrainians would start work "in the next few days", the source said.
International Reactions
U.S. Presidential Response
In a telephone interview with Reuters on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he would take assistance from any country, when asked about Zelenskiy's offer of support to help defend against Iranian drones.
Concerns Over Weapons Supply
Zelenskiy expressed concern earlier this week that the war in Iran - if it proves long and intense - could diminish weapons supplies to Ukraine from its Western allies, in particular the air defence systems it needs to protect against Russian missiles.
In recent months, Ukraine has already experienced shortages of the U.S.-made Patriot air defence systems - the only effective weapon in its arsenal for downing Russia's ballistic missiles.
Potential for Defense Cooperation
On Tuesday, Zelenskiy said Ukraine would be open to exchanging interceptor drones for air defence missiles from the Middle East allies, which have their own stocks of Patriots.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Daniel Flynn; Editing by Diane Craft)
Key Takeaways
- •Ukraine has pioneered affordable interceptor drone technology to defeat Shahed drones, offering it to U.S. forces under request. (yahoo.com)
- •Any aid will be conditional: Ukraine insists that assistance must not weaken its own defenses and should advance its diplomatic leverage. (news4jax.com)
- •Zelenskiy has engaged Gulf states (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait) alongside the U.S., preparing Ukrainian specialists to begin work in the coming days. (yahoo.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Zelenskiy says Ukraine will help US to counter Iranian drones
1Why is Ukraine assisting the U.S. against Iranian drones?
Ukraine is providing support after a U.S. request to help counter Iranian drones in the Middle East, leveraging its experience from the war with Russia.
2What expertise does Ukraine have with Iranian drones?
Ukraine has developed effective methods for downing Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces in its ongoing conflict.
3What kind of assistance will Ukraine provide to the U.S.?
Ukraine will send specialists and provide defensive means against Shahed drones to protect U.S. bases and personnel in affected regions.
4How might the war in Iran impact Ukraine's defense capabilities?
Zelenskiy expressed concerns that prolonged conflict in Iran could reduce Western weapons supplies, especially air defense systems, to Ukraine.
