Zelenskyy Warns of Russia-Iran Threat, Highlights Ukraine’s Drone Expertise in Middle East

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a sharp warning against Russia and Iran during his address in London, calling the two nations “brothers in hatred” and cautioning that their military cooperation poses a global threat. “The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred and that is why they are brothers in weapons,” Zelenskyy said. Highlighting Ukraine’s advanced military capabilities, Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainian drone technology has been battle-tested in complex environments and could be applied to international security challenges, including in regions like the Strait of Hormuz. He also emphasized Ukraine’s contributions to global defense, stating that Ukrainian military experts are already deployed in the Middle East to assist partners in countering threats from Iranian Shahed drones. Zelenskyy’s remarks underscored Kyiv’s ongoing commitment to supporting allies with both expertise and technology amid growing drone warfare threats. Ukraine’s defense industry has emerged as a key player in modern warfare, with advanced drone systems and counter-drone solutions that have drawn international attention.

Right now, there are 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Gulf region. And another 34 are ready to deploy.

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… pic.twitter.com/euID5BBqUt

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026