Zelensky says 201 Ukrainian anti-drone experts deployed in Middle East

LONDON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that 201 Ukrainian anti-drone military experts have been deployed in the Middle East to help defend the region against Iranian-designed Shahed drones, with another 34 "ready to deploy."

Addressing British lawmakers during a speech in the UK parliament, Zelensky said the experts possess specialised knowledge in countering Shahed drones and are already operational in several Gulf states.

"These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against Shahed drones. Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait," Zelensky told British lawmakers.

Starmer urges focus on Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meanwhile, told President Zelensky that the international community's attention must remain centred on Ukraine, even as the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to dominate headlines.

Starmer welcomed the Ukrainian leader to his official Downing Street residence for talks following Zelensky's meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. The British premier emphasised the importance of maintaining clarity on the Ukraine conflict amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The trilateral engagement also included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who met with both Starmer and Zelensky at 10 Downing Street.

Ukraine's anti-drone expertise gains significance

Zelensky's announcement about deploying anti-drone specialists in the Middle East underscores the growing significance of Ukraine's battlefield experience against Iranian-made drones. Having faced sustained Shahed drone attacks during Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, Kyiv has developed considerable expertise in countering these unmanned aerial vehicles.

The deployment of Ukrainian military experts across the Gulf region — including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait — signals deepening defence cooperation between Ukraine and Middle Eastern nations that have also expressed concerns over drone threats emanating from Iran.

Zelensky's visit to London included high-level diplomatic engagements, from a royal audience at Buckingham Palace to discussions at 10 Downing Street with both the British prime minister and the NATO chief, reflecting the ongoing importance Western allies place on supporting Ukraine.

Starmer's remarks urging continued focus on Ukraine came as the broader geopolitical landscape has grown increasingly complex, with the US-Israeli conflict with Iran drawing significant international attention and resources.