201 Ukrainian experts deployed to Mideast: Zelensky

LONDON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in London that Kyiv has deployed 201 anti-drone military experts to the Middle East to help counter Shahed drones.

"These are military experts who know how to assist and defend against Shahed drones. Our teams are already in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and are on their way to Kuwait," Zelensky told British lawmakers during an address to Parliament.

He added that an additional 34 specialists are ready for deployment.

Zelensky also noted that Ukraine is currently capable of producing around 2,000 interceptor drones per day and could supply up to half of that output to its allies to help strengthen their air defenses.

In addition, he said Kyiv is developing underwater drones as well as drones capable of operating in ocean environments.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran has retaliated with attacks that have effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and drawn much of the region into the conflict.

An Iranian lawmaker said on a social media platform on Saturday that Ukraine has become a target for Iran because of its involvement in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

"By providing drone support to the Israeli regime, failed Ukraine has effectively become involved in the War and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran," Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, wrote on social media X.