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March 5, 2026

Institute for the Study of War: Ukraine to support U.S. defense against Iranian Shahed drone attacks in. MidEast

Institute for the Study of War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will support US air defense efforts against Iranian Shahed drone strikes in the Middle East. Zelensky stated on March 5 that Ukraine received a request from the United States for “specific support” to defend against Iranian Shahed drone strikes in the Middle East, and that Zelensky gave the instructions to provide equipment and Ukrainian specialists to assist in air defense efforts.[1] Zelensky stated on March 4 that he discussed Ukrainian air defense assistance against Shahed drone strikes with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.[2] The Financial Times (FT) reported on March 5, citing Ukrainian industry figures, that the United States Department of Defense and at least one Gulf state are in talks to purchase Ukrainian-made interceptor drones to repel Iranian Shahed drones.[3] A person familiar with the talks told FT that about 12 Ukrainian companies manufacture relatively cheap interceptor drones that cost a few thousand dollars each, compared to the millions of dollars that PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defense systems cost. Ukrainian officials have offered several times in recent days to support US air defenses against Iranian strikes.[4] Ukraine has years of experience defending against almost nightly large-scale Russian drone and missile strike packages, which have included Iranian-origin strike drones much like those the United States currently faces in the Middle East, and reportedly has a 90 percent interception rate of such drones.[5]

Kremlin officials are criticizing the United States for military operations against Iran and are using the escalation in the Middle East to set conditions to blame the United States for any future failures in negotiations for a peace in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized on March 5 the US rhetoric about the US-Israeli operations against Iran, claiming that US President Donald Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are making contradictory statements about US motivations in Iran and that the United States intended to sow discord in and destabilize the broader Middle East, particularly to drive a wedge between Iran and the Gulf States.[6] Lavrov connected the military operation in Iran to Russia’s war in Ukraine, claiming that the United States and Israel intend to draw the Gulf States into conflict just as the West allegedly drew Ukraine into conflict with Russia. Lavrov claimed that many Russian politicians, political scientists, and analysts are concerned about the timing of US operations against countries it negotiates with and how this relates to peace negotiations in Ukraine. Lavrov accused the United States of conducting military operations against Iran and Venezuela even when negotiations were going well, explicitly referencing the June 2025 Israel-Iran war in which the United States also conducted strikes against Iran, the US operation against Venezuela on January 3, and the current US-Israeli operations against Iran. Lavrov claimed that these Russian officials and political voices are concerned that the “spirit” of the August 2025 US-Russian summit in Alaska is fading and agreed with this assessment. Lavrov hedged some of his complaints, however, claiming that the “spirit” of the Alaska summit is not as important as the summit’s so-called “understandings,” a vague term the Kremlin utilizes to claim that the United States and Russia concluded a formal agreement. Lavrov also claimed that the Kremlin itself has not observed indications that the United States is negotiating with Russia in bad faith, acting as a moderate voice to send a certain message to the Russian people and Russia’s allies without overly criticizing the Trump administration.

Key Takeaways

  1. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will support US air defense efforts against Iranian Shahed drone strikes in the Middle East.
  2. Kremlin officials are criticizing the United States for military operations against Iran and are using the escalation in the Middle East to set conditions to blame the United States for any future failures in negotiations for a peace in Ukraine.
  3. Other Russian officials are using US military operations against Iran to harshly criticize the United States and rhetorically place Russia and the United States in opposition and discredit US-led negotiations in Ukraine.
  4. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a routine decree on March 4 marginally increasing the authorized end strength of the Russian military as part of the ongoing Russian military reforms.
  5. Russian authorities arrested a fourth deputy of former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, continuing the long-standing Kremlin campaign to remove personnel loyal to Shoigu and neutralize his influence within the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).
  6. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area
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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.