Ukraine ready to share its experience in intercepting Shahed drones, Skibitskyi says

Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, stated this in a comment to the New York Post, Ukrinform reports citing the intelligence press service.

"We have the expertise to understand from which direction, when, and at what time the Shaheds are launched, and along which routes they fly. This is practical experience of our military in interception," he said.

Skibitskyi emphasized that effective defense against such threats relies on integrated interaction of various systems.

"Ukrainian air defense relies on multi-level coordination: from mobile firing units to surface-to-air missile systems and electronic warfare tools. All of this must operate in a complex integration, not as separate types of weaponry," he added.

He also highlighted the increasing threat: while at the initial stages Russia launched about 30 drones per month, now the numbers reach hundreds. Notably, in July last year, Russia used a record 802 UAVs in a single day.

Skibitskyi stressed that Ukraine offers partners an intellectual resource, lessons learned under continuous fire.

"We are not saying that we plan to participate [in missions abroad]. But we offer to share our experience, because this threat remains relevant for everyone," he concluded.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the Pentagon and at least one Gulf country are negotiating to acquire Ukrainian interceptors to counter Iranian drone attacks.

As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to cooperate with Middle Eastern countries on protecting airspace from Iranian Shahed drones.