KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that the United States and several nations in West Asia are seeking to acquire Kyiv’s expertise in countering Iranian-made drones. This request comes as both sides look to bolster their defences against the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployed by Iran.
The Ukrainian leader stated that any such assistance would only be provided if it does not undermine his country’s own defensive capabilities against the ongoing Russian invasion. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would only share its drone-fighting know-how if it translates into added leverage for Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.
Ukraine’s drone warfare experience, honed over nearly a year of intense combat against Russian forces, has drawn significant international interest. Both the U.S. and several Gulf Cooperation Council states have faced growing Iranian drone threats, ranging from attacks on energy infrastructure to the harassment of commercial shipping.
The Biden administration has already provided Ukraine with thousands of kamikaze drones, known as “Switchblade” and “Phoenix Ghost,” to aid its fight against the Russian invasion. Now, Washington appears eager to apply those hard-won Ukrainian lessons to address the Iranian UAV challenge in the Middle East.
However, Zelenskyy warned that such technology transfers would be carefully calibrated to ensure Ukraine’s own defences remain robust. Kyiv is unlikely to share its most sensitive drone-related intelligence and capabilities, as the country remains engaged in a existential struggle against the Russian onslaught.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the geopolitical competition over drone warfare expertise has emerged as a new front. Both the U.S. and its regional allies will be closely watching Zelenskyy’s next moves in this high-stakes technological and diplomatic dance.