Ukraine Seeks Israeli Anti-Drone Technology To Counter Iranian Drones

An aide close to the Ukrainian president expressed frustration over Israel's refusal to provide military support.

Andriy Yermak said on Tuesday he was hoping Ukraine would receive Israeli technology to counter Iranian drones used by Russia during its 16-month invasion.

“Nobody but Israel can provide equipment to combat attacks by Iranian drones,” said Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff.

He further expressed frustration that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly supported Ukraine and suggested that Israel join the war if Russia and Iran made weapons deals.

“We can see the Kremlin dictator [Russian President Vladimir Putin] taking family photos with Iranian leaders and then this Iranian weaponry is being used against us and against you,” Yermak addressed the Israeli reporters from the Office of the Ukrainian President.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Israel expressed moral and humanitarian solidarity with the embattled country but refused to provide weapons, retaining a neutral stance between the two sides, primarily to ensure the safeguarding of the Jewish populations on both sides.

Forces of the Russian Federation began using Iran-made kamikaze drones in their attacks against Ukraine's infrastructure last fall, temporarily depriving millions of Ukrainians of heating, water and electricity during the winter.

Iran first denied it had supplied drones to Russia but in early November foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian admitted the deliveries, while claiming they were sent before the Russian invasion.

Iran’s supply of drones to Russia for use in its war on Ukraine has been condemned by the US and its NATO allies and met with sanctions by the US, European Union and other states.