Iranian drone threats: Ukrainian experts now training Gulf nations.

Ukrainian advisory team deployed across the Middle East

According to UATV: A group of Ukrainian specialists has begun operations in the Middle East, offering guidance to Persian Gulf countries on countering Iranian drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the mission, noting that the team is headed by Rustem Umerov.

Regional partnerships taking shape

Currently, the team is working with three nations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. President Zelenskyy stated:

“Today we are working with three countries without involving others. These are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Emirates. Three of our teams are active.”

The president also indicated that Jordan has reached out and that efforts are underway to bring the country into the cooperation framework.

According to Zelenskyy, the experts have already started their assignments. “I was in contact with the team today, with Umerov. They have begun working with the invited countries. Today they were in Saudi Arabia—Rustem Umerov was there. At 6 a.m. [tomorrow] they will be in Qatar,” he reported.

Through this initiative, Ukrainian specialists are actively engaging with regional states to strengthen defenses against threats posed by Iranian drone technology.

This development reflects the growing demand from Middle Eastern nations for Ukraine’s security expertise, particularly in addressing emerging unmanned aerial system challenges. For Ukraine, cooperation with strategic partners like Saudi Arabia and the UAE carries significant geopolitical weight, especially amid its ongoing war with Russia. It also highlights the interconnected nature of modern security, where countries join forces to tackle shared threats.