Ukraine and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement on Saturday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to Doha.
The pact follows a similar deal with Saudi Arabia earlier this week, and Zelenskyy said an agreement with the United Arab Emirates was expected to be finalized soon.
Kyiv has offered its drone expertise to Gulf states as they face attacks attributed to Iran. “Real security is built on partnership,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media alongside a video of himself disembarking a plane and greeting Qatari officials. “We value everyone and remain open to supporting all those who are ready to work together for this goal.”
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy said Kyiv had dispatched 201 anti-drone military experts to the Middle East to assist the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. A photo caption accompanying coverage noted Ukraine had sent 201 anti-drone experts to the region.
Russian drones target Odesa port
The Gulf deals come as at least five people were killed in Russian drone strikes on Odesa, Poltava and Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, on Saturday. The Ukrainian air force said Russia launched 273 drones overnight, and that 252 were downed or electronically jammed. Zelenskyy said 60 of the drones were aimed at the southern port city of Odesa.
“There was no military purpose whatsoever — this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life,” he said, adding that critical port infrastructure and office space had been damaged.
Many of the drones used by Russia are based on the Iranian Shahed design, which has also been used in attacks on Gulf states. After more than four years of fighting the Russian invasion, Ukraine has developed significant expertise in anti-drone warfare.
“The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” the Qatari defense ministry said.
Kyiv denies Iran hit its drone depot in UAE
The Ukrainian foreign ministry strongly denied Iranian claims that a depot housing Ukrainian anti-drone systems had been destroyed in the UAE. “This is a lie, we officially refute this information,” a ministry spokesman said, adding that Tehran often conducts disinformation operations.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
Drone warfare in Iran (video)
