Zelenskiy pitches drone deal during Bahrain visit

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pitched a drone deal to Bahrain during a visit to the country on Tuesday, advertising Ukraine's battle-tested security expertise.

Yuliia Dysa/REUTERS

May 5, 2026

Zelenskiy pitches drone deal during Bahrain visit

FILE PHOTO: Servicemen of 24th Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepare a Kazhan heavy combat drone before flying it over positions of Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine May 15, 2025.

Oleg Petrasiuk/Press Service of the 24th King Danylo Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS

KYIV, May 5 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pitched a drone deal to Bahrain during a visit to the country on Tuesday, advertising Ukraine's battle-tested security expertise.

Since the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran erupted on February 28, Ukraine has been offering its drones and know-how to several Middle Eastern countries suffering from Iran's Shahed drone attacks.

Kyiv has gained unique experience in shooting down Iranian drones and similar Russian-made models as Russia has launched hundreds of thousands of them since its full-blown invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskiy said he had discussed with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa Iran's strikes against Bahrain and the Strait of Hormuz.

"Our country is facing similar terrorist strikes almost every day, and our people have relevant experience in full-scale defence," Zelenskiy said on X. "Ukraine is ready to share this security expertise with Bahrain and help strengthen the protection of life."

The two countries have agreed to work out the details of a potential deal, the Ukrainian leader added. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are among countries that have already signed defense cooperation deals with Ukraine as Kyiv seeks to bolster its diplomatic position in the Middle East, where historically Russia has had strong ties.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Gareth Jones)