Ukraine's air defense expertise 'irreplaceable,' Zelensky says as escalating Middle East war draws in Europe
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"The situation in the Middle East shows how difficult it is to provide 100% protection against missiles and Shaheds. ... Everyone now sees that our experience in defense is largely irreplaceable."
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War Ukraine's air defense expertise 'irreplaceable,' Zelensky says as escalating Middle East war draws in Europe March 1, 2026 9:53 pm (Updated: March 1, 2026 10:16 pm ) • 2 min read by Abbey Fenbert Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. The expanding war in the Middle East highlights the importance of Ukraine's expertise in air defense — particularly in shooting down Iranian drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on March 1. Zelensky's comments came a day after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini and several other high-ranking officials. Iran has retaliated , launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and against U.S. military assets in the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. In a statement released Feb. 28, Zelensky voiced support for the strikes and the overthrow of Iranian leadership, pointing out that Russia — Iran's strategic partner — has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type drones in its attacks against Ukraine since 2022. Become a member – go ad‑free Ukraine's experience fending off Iranian-designed weapons can now be used to help its allies, Zelensky said on March 1. "The situation in the Middle East shows how difficult it is to provide 100% protection against missiles and Shaheds. ... Everyone now sees that our experience in defense is largely irreplaceable." Zelensky said Kyiv is prepared "to share this experience" with nations that have helped Ukraine survive its worst winter of the full-scale war. Ukraine is "closely monitoring" developments in the U.S.-Israel-Iran war and coordinating with allies as the situation evolves, the president said. Become a member – go ad‑free Ukraine's European partners have been directly impacted by the spreading violence in the aftermath of the bombardment of Iran. Earlier on March 1, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported that a Royal Air Force fighter jet intercepted a...
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