Ukraine and Syria to cooperate on security, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian drones have struck Russia's Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea for the fifth time in 10 days, part of an intensified campaign targeting Russian oil export infrastructure. The overnight attacks on Tuesday injured three people and damaged several buildings, though the extent of the port damage is unclear. Ust-Luga is a major complex for oil processing and export, handling significant volumes of crude oil and oil products. These attacks come as Ukraine reports shooting down a large number of Russian drones and amid concerns about dwindling Western military resources due to the Middle East war, which has also contributed to rising global oil prices.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleges Russia has been sharing satellite intelligence on U.S. and allied military facilities in the Middle East with Iran. Zelenskyy claims Russian satellites imaged strategic sites, including bases and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and Diego Garcia, over several days in late March. He suggests this reconnaissance indicates preparations for strikes, raising concerns about potential targeting. Zelenskyy's warning follows his trip to Gulf countries where he discussed security cooperation and shared intelligence with regional leaders facing Iranian attacks. He stated Ukraine has provided Middle Eastern partners with information about Russian support for Iran, including potential targeting assistance, similar to how Russia shares satellite images related to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that some of Ukraine's allies have requested Kyiv to scale back its attacks on Russia's oil sector due to concerns about rising global energy prices. Zelenskyy indicated a willingness to reciprocate if Russia ceases attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and expressed openness to an Easter ceasefire. The US reportedly conveyed this message to Ukraine, with initial signals potentially originating from Moscow. Zelenskyy also announced a 10-year defense agreement with Bulgaria, focused on joint weapons production, including drones, within both countries. This agreement aims to systematize security cooperation and leverage Bulgaria's historical expertise in Soviet-standard weaponry, beneficial to Ukraine's military.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Jordan on Sunday as part of a tour to strengthen defense ties in the Gulf region. The visit aims to bolster security cooperation amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of partners' efforts towards security in a post on X. This visit follows Ukraine's recent agreements to cooperate on defense with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Kyiv has also deployed anti-drone experts to these countries due to Iranian drone attacks, similar to those used by Russia in the war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy is seeking support from Gulf states as Ukraine struggles to fund its defense and retaliates against Russian infrastructure.

Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone strike that caused a fire at Russia's Baltic port of Ust-Luga on Sunday, a key hub for Russian exports. The attack is part of Ukraine's intensified retaliatory efforts to disrupt Russian infrastructure and cut off revenue streams funding their offensive. According to the regional governor, there was damage to the port, but no casualties were reported, and emergency services are working to extinguish the fire. The governor also stated that thirty-six drones were destroyed overnight in the region. Ukraine's SBU security service confirmed their drones "successfully struck" the Ust-Luga oil terminal.

Volodymyr Zelensky has been touring Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, to promote Ukraine's air defense technology. He claims Ukraine has altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, particularly regarding defense against Iranian drones and missiles. Ukraine is marketing its drone interception technology, developed to counter Russian attacks, as a solution to the Iranian drone threat faced by Gulf nations. These defense agreements could provide Ukraine with significant financial benefits amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia and potential slowdowns in Western aid. The deals aim to capitalize on Ukraine's wartime innovations and create economic opportunities despite the challenges posed by the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is offering Ukraine's advanced anti-drone technology to Middle Eastern allies, including the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, in exchange for ballistic missile support and financial aid. Zelenskyy met with UAE's President in Abu Dhabi to discuss a potential agreement, highlighting Ukraine's unique electronic warfare and drone interception systems. This initiative aims to strengthen defense partnerships as these nations confront growing drone threats, particularly from Iran. Zelenskyy emphasized the reciprocal nature of these partnerships, seeking critical air defense weapons like PAC-3 Patriot missiles to address Ukraine's own defense deficit. He also cautioned that increasing U.S. military focus on the Middle East could potentially slow weapon deliveries to Ukraine, while Russia is reportedly sharing drone technology and battlefield tactics with Iran.

Gulf nations, facing increased missile and drone attacks from Iran since the US-Israeli war began a month ago, are seeking new defense partnerships. Ukraine, having developed cost-effective interceptor drones due to ongoing attacks from Russia, is being approached by some Gulf countries for its expertise. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have already signed defense agreements with Ukraine. The potential deals aim to provide Gulf countries with affordable drone defense solutions while offering Ukraine potential benefits. Experts are discussing the potential benefits of Ukrainian drones to Gulf countries under attack from Iran. The discussion was published on March 28, 2026.

Overnight Russian drone strikes in Ukraine killed at least five people and injured others in multiple regions, including Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, and Poltava. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched over 270 drones, targeting civilian infrastructure like a maternity hospital and industrial sites. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates to discuss regional security and drone defense cooperation. Ukraine is assisting several Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, including the UAE, in countering Iranian drone attacks. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of global protection against terror and discussed the security situation in the Emirates, Iranian strikes, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz with the Emirati leader.

Russian strikes on Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, and the Poltava region of Ukraine on Saturday killed at least four people and wounded over a dozen others. The attacks damaged residential areas, a maternity hospital, an industrial site, and gas production facilities. In Odesa, one person died and eleven were wounded, while in Kryvyi Rih, two men were killed and two wounded at an industrial site. Russian drones also targeted gas production facilities in the Poltava region, resulting in one fatality. These attacks occurred amid a shifting global focus toward Iran, as the war in Ukraine continues without a clear resolution.

During a recent tour of the Gulf states, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed air defense cooperation agreements with the UAE and Qatar. The agreements aim to leverage Ukraine's expertise in countering drones and missiles, particularly in light of increasing threats from Iran. The deal with Qatar, signed on Saturday, focuses on technological collaboration, joint investments, and expertise exchange in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. Earlier that day, Zelenskyy announced a similar defense cooperation agreement with the UAE, following a deal with Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Ukraine has deployed anti-drone experts to these countries, seeking to strengthen their defenses and foster mutually beneficial partnerships.