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If anyone could be labeled “experts” in repelling Iranian-designed Shahed drones, it would be the Ukrainian defense forces.
What does Ukraine and Iran have in common? Not much, really, but there is still a link.
During the more than four-year-long war in Ukraine, Russia has used Iranian designed Shahed-drones to pummel the Ukrainian infrastructure and population, and this makes Ukraine experts at countering that type of drones.
And now, as Iran is launching drone attacks on several countries in the Middle East, Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelensky, is offering to share that know-how with other national leaders.
But he wants something in return.
A Diplomatic Offer
Speaking by phone to Bloomberg News on Monday, Zelensky said leaders in the Middle East could use their ties with Moscow to press for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
“I would suggest the following: Leaders of the Middle East have great relations with Russians,” Zelensky said. “They can ask Russians to implement a month-long ceasefire.”
In return, he offered to deploy Ukrainian specialists skilled in intercepting drones. “We will send our best operators of drone interceptors to the Middle East countries,” he said, adding that even a shorter pause in fighting would allow Kyiv to send personnel to help “protect civilians.”
Growing drone threat
Zelensky’s comments come as Iranian-designed drones are increasingly used in conflicts beyond Ukraine.
On Saturday, he said Russia had launched more than 57,000 Shahed-type drones during the four-year war and reiterated calls for regime change in Tehran.
His remarks followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have heightened fears of retaliation across the region.
Hours before unidentified drones hit a British military base in Cyprus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would assist Middle Eastern partners in countering drone threats with “experts from Ukraine.” Zelensky noted, however, that Kyiv had not received formal requests for such support.
Sources: Bloomberg
