Zelenskyy highlights Ukrainian expertise in Qatar amid regional drone threats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Abdullateef Fowewe
Ukrain President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a team of Ukrainian defense experts is actively collaborating with Qatar to bolster its airspace protection, sharing hard-won lessons from Russia’s ongoing invasion.
“A team of Ukrainian experts is working in Qatar, sharing our experience and expertise.
“I met with our team here today and received a briefing on their work. Our experts have already conducted an overall assessment of the security situation, Qatar’s capabilities to counter aerial threats, and have developed concrete solutions to strengthen the protection of its airspace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The visit comes in response to Iran’s recent missile and drone barrages on Qatar in February and March 2026, including strikes on the critical Ras Laffan industrial complex.
Traditional air defenses struggled against overwhelming drone swarms, prompting Qatar to seek innovative solutions.
Zelenskyy noted high praise from Qatar’s leadership, “Today, during my meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, it was important for me to hear such a high assessment of our team’s work and appreciation for their consultations.”
Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine’s cost-effective anti-drone technologies, refined through three years of defending against Russian attacks since 2022.
“Ballistic missile and drone attacks are currently the biggest challenge here in the region,” he stated.
“And while only air defense systems can effectively counter ballistic threats, in Ukraine, we have developed other, significantly more cost-effective solutions to combat drones. These solutions have already proven their effectiveness against various types of drones, which is why Qatar is so interested in our experience.”
This partnership marks Ukraine’s pivot toward exporting its battlefield expertise, potentially securing Qatari funding and technology transfers to enhance its own defenses.
“Ukraine has always said that we are ready to share our expertise and help those who can also help us strengthen our own protection in Ukraine.
“Qatar is ready for long-term cooperation across various areas. It is important to restore stability in the region so that no one suffers from Iran’s terrorist strikes. And we support an approach where, by helping one another, we increase security worldwide,” Zelenskyy added.
