The United States has asked Ukraine for help in countering Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, adding that he had ordered expert support to be provided.
During Russia's four-year invasion, Kyiv has developed a range of cheap and effective drone interceptors – aerial craft designed to hit incoming attack drones midair – that it says are world-leading.
Zelenskyy on Tuesday offered U.S. allies in the Middle East a swap of some of their air defense missiles in exchange for those interceptors, which he said would better protect them from Iranian drone attacks.
"We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against 'shaheds' in the Middle East region," Zelenskyy confirmed on the social media platform X on Thursday, referring to the Iranian-designed drones also used by Russia.
Ukraine has been facing a near-daily pummelling with such drones, launched from Russia and targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including its energy sites.
