Russian propaganda spreading fake claims about “ineffectiveness” of Ukrainian drone specialists in Middle East

Russian media, propaganda Telegram channels, and accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X are spreading claims that Ukrainian air defense specialists (operators of interceptor drones) have allegedly been recalled from the Middle East. These reports claim that the leadership of the UAE and Saudi Arabia was supposedly dissatisfied with their performance following Iranian strikes on skyscrapers and their alleged failure to protect five infrastructure facilities they were “assigned” to defend. The source cited is an article by the Italian outlet L’AntiDiplomatico.

This claim is false. The L’AntiDiplomatico article contains no references to verified sources and provides no evidence to support assertions about the withdrawal of Ukrainian specialists or dissatisfaction from Gulf governments. There is also no independent confirmation of alleged strikes on facilities that were supposedly under their protection.

Moreover, the article includes other claims that have already been debunked. For example, it repeats allegations that Baltic countries’ airspace was used for attacks on Russian energy facilities. The foreign ministries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have publicly denied such accusations from Moscow.

Claims that Ukrainian drones struck residential high-rise buildings have also been refuted by Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation. The Center noted that countries in the Middle East do not have Ukrainian air defense missile systems or missiles in service, meaning they could not have “hit skyscrapers.” Ukrainian military specialists in the region do not have specific facilities assigned to them; they provide advisory support only.

At the same time, L’AntiDiplomatico relies on Russian sources, including state propaganda outlets such as RIA Novosti and Komsomolskaya Pravda.

According to the Romanian fact-checking outlet Veridica, Fabrizio Poggi regularly publishes disinformation and conspiracy theories about Ukraine. Among other things, he has promoted the false claim that Ukraine allegedly “ordered” the downing of flight MH17 in 2014.

Using Poggi as an “independent Western journalist” is a classic tactic to legitimize Russian disinformation through foreign platforms.

In addition, L’AntiDiplomatico has for years published content aligned with Russian propaganda narratives. As reported by the Italian daily La Stampa in 2016, the website was created by individuals linked to the Five Star Movement, an Italian political party whose representatives have promoted pro-Russian narratives, including describing Ukraine’s 2014 Revolution of Dignity as a “coup financed by Europe and the United States.” In 2018, the EUvsDisinfo project also identified L’AntiDiplomatico as a source of pro-Russian content.

The outlet has also provided a platform for Russian officials. For instance, it has published interviews with Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, and republishes content from Russian propaganda outlets RT and Sputnik.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has shared expertise with Middle Eastern partners on how to defend against Shahed-type drones.

Last month, the Ukrainian leader also announced the signing of a 10-year military cooperation agreement, including with the government of Qatar, as well as a defense cooperation document with Saudi Arabia. Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait have also expressed interest in such cooperation.

In conclusion, Russian propaganda used an Italian outlet aligned with pro-Russian narratives as a vehicle to spread disinformation aimed at discrediting Ukraine’s defense sector and its international partnerships.

Earlier, Russian sources also spread a fake claim that Ukraine was allegedly preparing benefits for migrants to “replace” its population.

By Andrii Olenin