President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces deployed to the Middle helped to shoot down Iranian drones in multiple countries.
“We sent our military experts to the Middle East, including specialists in interceptor drones and electronic warfare,” Zelensky posted to X on Friday. “In those countries that opened up their air defense systems to us, our experts were able to very quickly advise how to make those systems stronger.”
He added, “We also shot down drones with jet engines. This is a very good signal, I think.”
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. Did we destroy Iranian “shaheds?” Yes, we did. Did we do it in just one country? No, in several.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 10, 2026
Last month, Zelesnky announced he had ordered about 200 anti-drone specialists to help the US and its Middle East allies shoot down Iranian drones. This is the first time the Ukrainian leader said the troops were testing a new anti-drone system that uses jet engines.
Zelesnky said the Ukrainian troops are prepared to shoot down Iranian drones as Russia uses a variant of the Shahed drone. Ukraine is one of the only Euoprean counties to send military forces to the Middle East to assist the US war against Iran.
Zelensky sent the troops as Ukraine is facing manpower shortages. Drone warfare has become critical in the Ukraine war.
Trump has expressed his anger at members of NATO for not providing more support for his Middle East war, suggesting he could halt weapons sales to alliance members for Ukraine. Some European leaders fear Trump will force Zelensky to make concessions to end the conflict before the midterm election in November.
