Ukraine Deploys Drone Experts to Middle East Amid U.S.-Iran War

Following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran starting February 28, 2026, which killed the Iranian supreme leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorized the deployment of drone specialists and interceptor drones to the Middle East. In response to a U.S. request, Ukrainian teams were dispatched to protect military bases in Jordan, while additional professional teams were sent to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to train local forces.

Ukraine is leveraging its extensive experience countering Shahed-type drones to provide a financially sustainable alternative to multimillion-dollar Patriot missiles. Ukrainian interceptors, such as the P1-SUN and Sting models, cost between $1,000 and $15,000 per unit. This cooperation comes after reports that the Trump administration had committed a tactical error by rejecting a similar Ukrainian offer in August 2025. The urgency increased after Iranian drones killed six to eight U.S. service members at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait.

In exchange for this expertise, Zelenskyy is seeking critical supplies of PAC-2 and PAC-3 Patriot missiles to counter Russian ballistic attacks in Ukraine. He warned that the U.S. conflict in Iran could deplete the very munitions Ukraine needs for its own survival. While Donald Trump has expressed openness to receiving assistance, he has also faced criticism for cutting aid to Ukraine and proposing to lift sanctions on Russian oil. Meanwhile, Russia has allegedly provided Iran with targeting intelligence on U.S. forces to facilitate retaliatory strikes.