Ukraine's drone expertise bolsters gulf allies mid the war against Iran

Ukraine has emerged as a key partner in Middle East defense against Iranian drone threats, with Ukrainian specialists now training in the region to share anti-Shahed tactics honed against Russian attacks. Requests for assistance have come from at least 11 countries, including Gulf states, the U.S., and Europe, leading to deployments and potential swaps of air defense systems.

President Zelenskyy emphasized this role as a way to secure more military aid, including urgently needed Patriot missiles, while reducing escalation risks in the Persian Gulf. Ukrainian innovations, like fast interceptors, are seen as directly transferable to countering Iran's Shahed-style drones.

This development gives Ukraine new diplomatic leverage in Washington, positioning it as an active contributor to U.S. interests rather than solely a recipient of aid, especially as global attention shifts to the Iran conflict.

Zelenskyy discusses power grid development and defence support with Romanian PM

Volodymyr Zelensky met with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan during a visit to Bucharest to discuss military and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Romania.

According to Zelensky, the talks covered military assistance and contributions to the PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, which allows partner countries to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. The leaders also discussed strengthening cooperation in the energy sector, including developing cross-border energy connections that could help Ukraine manage shortages caused by Russia’s attacks on its infrastructure and allow electricity exports to Romania when Ukraine has a surplus.

The two officials also focused on improving border logistics, particularly expanding crossing points and preparing an intergovernmental agreement on joint oversight at checkpoints along the Ukrainian-Romanian border. Zelensky said these steps would help facilitate trade, travel, and coordination between the neighboring countries.

Russia plans to place more oil tankers under its flag

Russia plans to increase the number of oil tankers sailing under its national flag as detentions of vessels linked to its so-called shadow fleet become more frequent, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence said the Kremlin intends to expand the number of tankers officially registered under the Russian flag after European countries and the United States intensified efforts to detain ships suspected of transporting sanctioned Russian oil. The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which is under EU sanctions, reportedly plans to identify and inspect around 80 tankers in order to re-register them.

According to the intelligence service, the ships involved are owned by companies registered in several countries, including the Seychelles, China, Azerbaijan, and Samoa, as well as firms in Vietnam, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the Marshall Islands. Officials also suggested the move could indicate coordination between Russia and Iran to ensure safe passage for these vessels through areas affected by the Middle East conflict.

The intelligence agency warned that registering more tankers under the Russian flag could make it easier for Moscow to place intelligence operatives aboard the ships for espionage or sabotage operations, particularly in the Baltic region, through which more than 40% of Russia’s seaborne oil exports pass.