Ukraine could help down Iran's drones, if partners broker ceasefire, minister says

Ukraine says it could deploy drone specialists to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drones, provided a ceasefire in its war with Russia is secured. The country boasts up to 90% effectiveness in intercepting Iranian-made ‘Shahed’ drones using domestic technology.

Reuters

March 3, 2026

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 6, 2026

Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Ukraine could send drone specialists to the Middle East and share capabilities and expertise to help down Iranian drones if its partners help to broker a ceasefire in its four-year war with Russia, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters on Monday.

Sybiha said that Ukraine's effectiveness in intercepting Iranian-made 'Shahed' drones had reached up to 90%, thanks in part to using domestically produced interceptor drones.

"We won't be able to send all of our operators, but we can certainly send some of them if the absence of Russian strikes against our country is guaranteed," Sybiha said.

-Reporting by Tom Balmforth, writing by Olena Harmash, editing by Daniel Flynn/Reuters

Sybiha said that Ukraine's effectiveness in intercepting Iranian-made 'Shahed' drones had reached up to 90%, thanks in part to using domestically produced interceptor drones.

"We won't be able to send all of our operators, but we can certainly send some of them if the absence of Russian strikes against our country is guaranteed," Sybiha said.

-Reporting by Tom Balmforth, writing by Olena Harmash, editing by Daniel Flynn/Reuters