Eleven countries have formally approached Kyiv for assistance in countering Shahed-type drones, a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and heightened tensions involving Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed these requests on Monday, highlighting a burgeoning international interest in Ukraine’s hard-won experience with drone warfare. These appeals for support originate from a diverse group, including nations neighboring Iran, various European states, and the United States, underscoring the widespread concern regarding the proliferation and effectiveness of these unmanned aerial vehicles.
Zelenskyy elaborated that the requests specifically seek Ukraine’s expertise in protecting lives, alongside relevant interceptor technologies, electronic warfare systems, and training protocols. Kyiv has thoroughly reviewed each of these appeals for “security support,” signaling a willingness to share its operational knowledge. However, this assistance is not without stipulations; Ukraine has made it clear that it will prioritize those who have demonstrated support for its own struggle to “protect the lives of Ukrainians and the independence of Ukraine.” Some of these requests have already progressed to “concrete decisions and specific support,” though the Ukrainian president did not specify which nations might not receive such aid.
A crucial consideration for Kyiv in providing external assistance is the need to maintain the integrity and strength of its own air defense capabilities. Ukraine has consistently advocated for enhanced joint capabilities among partners, emphasizing collective defense against drones and missiles. This includes discussions about disrupting the production facilities of aggressor regimes responsible for manufacturing these weapons. Zelenskyy previously cited a recent example of this cooperation, noting that Kyiv dispatched interceptor drones and a specialist team to aid in protecting US military bases in Jordan, following a direct request from Washington last Thursday. The swift deployment underscored Ukraine’s readiness to act on such partnerships.
The sophisticated drone technology at the heart of these international concerns has a complex lineage. Iran has emerged as a key ally to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022, initially supplying Shahed-type drones to Moscow. Subsequently, Tehran shared the underlying technology, enabling Russia to establish its own domestic production capabilities. Zelenskyy asserted that the locations of “every ‘Shahed’ production site” are known. Intriguingly, as the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year, intelligence suggests a reversal of roles, with Russia now providing domestically manufactured UAV components back to Tehran. This exchange highlights the deepening military cooperation between the Iranian and Russian regimes, with increasing evidence of Russian components being found in “shaheds” used against Iran’s neighbors.
Meanwhile, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has observed a combined US-Israeli strike campaign targeting missile and drone production and storage facilities within Iran. This mirrors a long-standing request from Kyiv for specific weaponry that would allow Ukraine to conduct similar strikes against Russian facilities. The ISW specifically pointed to the US denial of Ukraine’s requests for Tomahawk missiles, a decision made in the fall of 2025. Analysts at the ISW contend that even a “small number” of Tomahawks could significantly degrade or destroy critical missile and drone facilities deep within Russia’s rear. Without these advanced munitions, Ukraine must rely on its own long-range drones and missiles, which, while capable of striking deep into Russian territory, possess limited payloads unsuitable for destroying hardened targets or large infrastructure. The ISW suggests that Tomahawk strikes could have substantially mitigated Russia’s long-range missile and drone campaigns against Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure during past winters.
