Zelensky says Ukraine will help US to counter Iranian drones

KYIV - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 5 that Ukraine would provide assistance to the US in response to its request for help in dealing with Iranian drones in the Middle East.

Tehran has fired hundreds of drones at US targets in neighbouring countries after the US and Israel began a massive campaign of air strikes against Iran on Feb 28.

During its war with Russia, Ukraine has developed highly effective means of downing the Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drone, which Moscow has been using for much of the four-year war.

"We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against 'Shaheds' in the Middle East region," Mr Zelensky wrote in English on the X social media platform.

"I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security."

The US had requested assistance in protecting its bases and soldiers in certain countries in the region, according to a source familiar with the matter, who said Mr Zelensky had instructed his military to do so.

Ukrainians would start work "in the next few days", the source said.

In a telephone interview with Reuters on March 5, US President Donald Trump said that he would take assistance from any country, when asked about Mr Zelensky's offer of support to help defend against Iranian drones.

Mr Zelensky expressed concern earlier this week that the war in Iran - if it proves long and intense - could diminish weapons supplies to Ukraine from its Western allies, in particular the air defence systems it needs to protect against Russian missiles.

In recent months, Ukraine has already experienced shortages of the US-made Patriot air defence systems - the only effective weapon in its arsenal for downing Russia's ballistic missiles.

On March 3, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine would be open to exchanging interceptor drones for air defence missiles from the Middle East allies, which have their own stocks of Patriots. REUTERS