Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly stated in an address to the UK Parliament that more than 200 Ukrainian military experts are currently in the Gulf region and wider Middle East, assisting governments in defending against Iranian drone attacks. He claimed that 201 anti-drone experts are already on the ground, with another 34 purportedly ready for deployment.

Zelenskyy emphasized that these experts possess specialized knowledge in countering Shahed drones, Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicles that the Russian government has been using in its war against Ukraine since 2022. He noted that Ukrainian teams are operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and are en route to Kuwait, with agreements in place with several other countries. The Ukrainian leader criticized what he described as cooperation between Russia and Iran, labeling them as "brothers in hatred" and highlighting the exchange of drone technology.

In his speech, Zelenskyy also touted Ukraine's advancements in drone warfare and manufacturing, asserting that 90% of Russian losses on the front lines are caused by Ukrainian drones. He claimed that Ukraine can produce at least 2,000 drone interceptors daily, with half allocated for its own defense and the remainder available for allies. However, these claims come amid skepticism from other quarters, including US President Donald Trump, who has reportedly dismissed the need for Ukraine's assistance in countering Iranian drones in the Middle East.

During his visit, Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a "defence partnership" deal, which is said to combine Ukraine's expertise with the UK's industrial base for drone production. This move is framed as part of broader efforts to bolster regional security, but it faces challenges given the complex geopolitical dynamics and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which continues to strain international relations and resources.

Source: www.aljazeera.com