Ukraine Sends Specialist Teams to Counter Drone Threats

A Ukrainian military instructor demonstrates the operation of an interceptor drone designed to destroy Russian attack drones in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, March 11, 2026.

Ukraine has deployed military and engineering units to five Middle Eastern countries—the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan—to help intercept drones and strengthen air‑defense capabilities amid escalating regional tensions. 

The teams, composed of specialist counter‑drone personnel, are advising local forces and assisting in neutralizing Iranian-made Shahed drones, which have increasingly targeted civilian and critical infrastructure during the ongoing Iran conflict. Ukrainian officials say the mission aims to bolster regional security and pave the way for long‑term defense cooperation agreements. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian security council secretary Rustem Umerov emphasized that while Middle Eastern partners focus on ballistic missile threats, Ukrainian units bring extensive experience in drone interception, a capability honed during years of defending against Russian attacks. 

The deployment marks one of Ukraine’s most significant international security collaborations to date, reflecting both its growing expertise in drone warfare and the rising global demand for counter‑UAV technologies.