Eleven countries have formally requested Ukraine’s assistance in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.
The Shahed is a delta-winged, propeller-driven attack drone that Iran originally supplied to Russia and is now deploying against targets across the Middle East. The requests for Ukrainian help come from nations neighboring Iran, European states, and the United States.
“There is clear interest in Ukraine’s experience in protecting lives, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training,” Zelenskyy said.
I held a Staff meeting. Our primary focus was the destabilization caused by the war in Iran and the corresponding risks for global markets, the countries of the region, and Ukraine’s closest partners who support us in defending against Russian aggression. The issue is complex –… pic.twitter.com/ibFpnGH15i
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 9, 2026
Ukraine has already deployed interceptor drones and specialists to Jordan at Washington’s request. Zelenskyy said the United States asked for assistance on March 5, and Kyiv dispatched a team the following day.
“We reacted immediately,” Zelenskyy said. “I said, yes, of course, we will send our experts.”
Ukraine developed its counter-drone capabilities through years of defending against Russian-launched Shahed attacks. The country’s interceptor drones, including the Sting produced by Wild Hornets, cost around $2,500 each. A single Patriot PAC-3 missile costs over $3 million.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that interceptor drones accounted for more than 70% of Shahed kills over Kyiv in February. Ukraine’s Air Force reported stopping 453 of 480 incoming drones on Saturday.
Zelenskyy noted that Gulf states fired more than 800 Patriot missiles in the first days of the Iran conflict. Ukrainian officials said Kyiv received roughly 600 Patriot missiles over the entire four-year war with Russia.
Zelenskyy also said intelligence shows Russian-made components inside drones now being launched from Iran.
“The Iranian and Russian regimes support one another, and more information is emerging, including about Russian components in Shaheds striking Iran’s neighbors,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has conditioned its assistance on reciprocal support.
“Ukraine is ready to respond positively to requests from those who help us protect the lives of Ukrainians and the independence of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. Some requests have already been met with “concrete decisions and specific support.”
