Ukraine deploys drone specialists to Africa, Middle East to target Russian interests: Report

The Ukrainian team was not directly involved in frontline combat, according to the report.The deployment comes as Russia has deepened its military presence across Africa, particularly in the Sahel. Ukraine has denied substantial involvement.Ukraine’s overseas military cooperation extends beyond Africa. Ukrainian military experts were sent to at least five Middle Eastern countries after Iran began attacking US allies earlier this year. Human Rights Watch has separately accused Russian forces in Mali of killing civilians and said all parties involved in an April escalation unlawfully attacked civilians.The overseas operations reflect Kyiv’s growing attempt to use its battlefield experience as a foreign-policy tool. Earlier this year, a Ukrainian naval drone carrying explosives escaped from operators in Libya and was later found floating near Greece’s Lefkada island.

Source: Times of India September 13, 2026 08:49 UTC