Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces shot down Shahed drones in Middle Eastern countries during Iran war
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian military personnel have shot down Iranian-made Shahed drones in several Middle Eastern countries. Iran warPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he described the operations as part of a broader effort to help partners counter Russian weapons use in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy made his first public statement regarding the operations on Wednesday, in a speech to journalists who were embargoed until Friday. He said Ukrainian forces are involved in active operations abroad using domestically produced interceptor drones that are proven against the Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Iran. Russia in Ukraine.
“This was not about a training mission or exercise, but about support for the construction of a modern air defense system that could actually work,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has previously taken part in defensive operations temporary ceasefire An agreement was reached this week in the Middle East between Iran, the USA and Israel.
Zelenskyy did not specify the countries involved, but said that Ukrainian personnel operated in many countries and helped strengthen air defense systems. He said this before 228 Ukrainian experts deployed to the region.
In return, he said, Ukraine received oil, diesel and, in some cases, weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, as well as financial regulations.
The Ukrainian leader said the agreements would strengthen Ukraine’s energy stability and described the partnerships as something to “market” as Kiev seeks to formalize and expand its defense export role.
“In exchange for contributing to our country’s resilience, we help strengthen their security,” he said. “This is so much more than just taking money.”
Ukraine will face more pressure
The statement came amid concerns that conflicts in the Middle East could divert Western military support, especially air defense supplies, away from Ukraine.
But Zelenskyy said partners continue to supply missiles for Patriot systems, a new batch has arrived in recent days, and Ukraine is working with all partners to ensure its air defenses remain in place.
He warned that next spring and summer will be difficult for Ukraine, with increasing political and battlefield pressure as the United States turns to domestic politics and elections.
Zelenskyy said he called on US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Kiev and proposed a trilateral format with Moscow. It is not yet clear whether they will come or whether the talks will be held in a third country.
U.S.-led talks have failed to make progress on key issues as Russian and Ukrainian forces remain locked in fighting along the nearly 1,250-kilometer (800-mile) frontline, while Washington’s attention shifts to the Middle East conflict.
Separately, Zelenskyy said he expected Western allies to reinstate full sanctions on Russian oil, warning that any relaxation could allow Moscow to continue its war effort and divest significant energy assets. Russia is profiting from a surge in global energy prices caused by damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route for global oil supplies.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy facilities to cut off oil revenues as prices rise and U.S. sanctions ease. Zelenskyy argued that his partners had called on Kiev to reduce its attacks as Iran dismantled the Strait of Hormuz, but that Russian oil had a limited impact on global markets.
“I won’t say who asked us to do this. But our partners asked; that’s a fact. They asked at different levels, from political leadership to military leadership.”
Putin announces Easter truce and Ukraine is ready to reciprocate
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to comply with the ceasefire steps following Russian President Vladimir Putin declared temporary Easter truce.
Speaking on X on Friday, Zelenskyy said: “We proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holiday this year and we will act accordingly.” “People need an Easter free of threats and a real movement towards peace, and Russia also has a chance not to return to strikes after Easter.”
Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend on Thursday, ordering Russian forces to cease hostilities from 4pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday.
Previous ceasefire attempts had little effect; both sides accused each other of violations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Putin’s move a “humanitarian” gesture but said Moscow remained focused on a comprehensive solution based on its long-standing demands. This is a major sticking point that is preventing the two sides from reaching an agreement.
Peskov also confirmed that Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev was in the United States for meetings focused on economic issues. He noted that Dmitriev is conducting the meetings within the framework of a group on economic issues that he has led, adding that he is not involved in the talks on the war in Ukraine and his trip “doesn’t mean the resumption of the talks.”
Dmitriev’s visit to the United States comes just before the 30-day sanctions exemption for Russian oil expires.
