Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will share his country’s anti-Shahed drone technology and expertise with the United States, Europe, and allies in the Middle East.
Zelenskyy suggested that in exchange, Kyiv would need more Patriot missiles to defend against Russian attacks.
“Regarding weapons: we ourselves are at war. And I said, completely frankly, that we have a shortage of what they have,” Zelenskyy said on X on March 5, citing comments he gave in an interview with Italian network Rai Italia.
“They have missiles for the Patriots, but hundreds or thousands of ‘shaheds’ cannot be intercepted with Patriot missiles. It is too costly.”
He said that this was why he believed allies needed interceptor drones, “which we have.”
“Meanwhile, we have a shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. So, when it comes to technology or weapons exchange, I believe our country will be open to it,” he said.
Ukraine has pioneered the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interceptors that cost as little as $1,000.
One such piece of air defense is the Sting—made by volunteer-driven startup Wild Hornets—which can counter Russian suicide drones.
Another model is the Bullet, developed by startup General Cherry, which can surge in speed before crashing into enemy UAVs.
Andrii Lavrenovych, a member of General Cherry’s strategic council, said the enemy UAVs his interceptor drones destroy cost anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000.
Zelenskyy Speaks With Middle East Allies
Zelenskyy said in a March 4 post that he’d had a meeting on the situation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf with regional partners, having spoken to the leaders of Jordan and Bahrain, following talks with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on March 3.
“All of them face a serious challenge and speak openly about it: Iranian attack drones are the same ‘shaheds’ that have been striking our cities, villages, and our Ukrainian infrastructure throughout this war,” he said.
Zelenskyy said that he had tasked the minister of foreign affairs, the defense minister, military command, the intelligence agencies, and the National Security and Defense Council secretary “to present options for assisting the relevant countries and to provide aid in a way that does not weaken our own defense here in Ukraine.”
“Our military possesses the necessary capabilities. Ukrainian experts will operate on-site, and teams are already coordinating these efforts. And we are ready to help protect lives, defend civilians, and support real efforts to stabilize the situation and, in particular, restore safe navigation in the region,” he wrote.
Iranian Drone Attacks
Iranian drone attacks continued on March 5, as the war continues to spill over into other nations in the region.
Iran has fired a total of 196 ballistic missiles at the UAE, 13 of which made impact in the sea, and two on land.
A total of eight cruise missiles were detected, and all eight were intercepted.
The office of Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general said the attack caused “significant damage” to an administrative building at the Nakhchivan airport.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said Iran dispatched four drones toward Nakhchivan.
The ministry contradicted Iran’s denial of the attack, saying it “can in no way be considered acceptable.”
Savannah Hulsey Pointer and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
