Ukraine downed Iranian drones in Middle East during Iran war, Zelensky claims

In a significant revelation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine's direct involvement in countering Iranian drone threats in the Middle East during the recent Iran War. Speaking via an X/Twitter post, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian military experts, specializing in interceptor drones and electronic warfare, were dispatched to the region and played a crucial role in downing these aircraft. He proudly dubbed the operation a "success," highlighting Ukraine's growing capabilities in advanced drone warfare.

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We sent our military experts to the Middle East, including specialists in interceptor drones and electronic warfare.

This disclosure sheds light on Ukraine's strategic pivot towards becoming a master of drone technology, a field where it had minimal investment prior to Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The necessity of countering Russian forces, who have extensively utilized Iranian-made Shahed drones, has spurred rapid innovation and combat-testing of Ukrainian drone interceptors. Many of these advanced systems are now reportedly 3D-printable and significantly more cost-effective than traditional air defense solutions.

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dubbing the operation a “success.”

Zelensky's announcement comes after weeks of speculation regarding Ukraine's defensive aid to its allies. He revealed that the United States had specifically requested Ukrainian assistance against Iran's Shahed drones, leading to the deployment of Ukrainian specialists to the Middle East. According to earlier reports, Ukraine had dispatched 228 specialists to countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.

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Now it is only a matter of time,” Zelensky wrote, “before we begin mass production of interceptors that will destroy drones with jet engines.

The irony is not lost that Ukraine, a nation under constant attack from Russian forces using Iranian drones, is now actively helping allies combat the same technology in another theater of conflict. This dual role underscores Ukraine's resilience and its emergence as a key player in global drone warfare. The nation's Air Force has reportedly intercepted close to 45,000 Shahed drones during the course of the war with Russia, and Ukrainian officials have noted high interception accuracy rates, with defensive drones accounting for a significant majority of Shahed interceptions in certain regions.

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the US had requested aid against Iran’s Shahed drones, ordering “Ukrainian specialists” to the region.