Ukrainian Security Service Military Experts Set Up Defense for Partners in the Middle East
A group of military experts from Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has made significant strides in establishing a defense system for several Ukrainian partners in the Middle East, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 8.
President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the achievements of a group of military experts from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in setting up a defense system for various Ukrainian partners in Middle Eastern countries. This announcement was made during a summary of reports from SBU leadership, including Major General Yevhen Khmara and Major General Oleksandr Poklad, on April 8.
Zelensky noted that the SBU's Special Operations Center A ranked first in March for the use of drones, showcasing high effectiveness. He stated, "The military experts of the SBU have also excelled in establishing defenses for some of our partners in the Middle East as part of expert missions sent by Ukraine to the region. Thank you, warriors! Our expert missions will continue their work in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. Building a new defense system remains a task, and based on our long-term agreements, we will involve the necessary units," emphasized the head of the Ukrainian state.
It is worth recalling that on March 2, Bloomberg reported that during a conversation with Zelensky, the president proposed sending Ukraine's top specialists in destroying Iranian drones to the Middle East. This proposal came in the context of a potential month-long ceasefire in the war against Ukraine, which regional leaders might agree upon with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
On March 5, President Zelensky also disclosed that Ukraine had received a request from the United States for assistance in defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East. He emphasized that he had instructed the provision of necessary funds and the presence of Ukrainian specialists who could guarantee security in the region.
Additionally, Reuters, citing an informed source, reported that the United States had sought assistance in protecting its bases and soldiers in several Middle Eastern countries, and the Ukrainian president had given appropriate directives to Ukrainian military personnel.
On March 10, the head of the Ukrainian state announced that official Kyiv had already sent three teams of experts to the Middle East to assist in combating Iranian drones. This reflects Ukraine's active involvement in ensuring security in the region.
On April 8, Zelensky reiterated that Ukrainian expert military teams would continue to work in the Middle East during the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran to build security capabilities. "Various countries were involved in the negotiation process, and it is important that the United States made this diplomatic step. During these weeks, Ukraine is helping to protect lives in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf," he concluded.
Thus, Ukraine's active diplomatic engagement and military support in the Middle East underscore the importance of international cooperation in ensuring regional security, as well as the readiness of Ukrainian experts to assist their partners in addressing new challenges.