Ukraine is securing a 10-year defense deal with Gulf states amid the Iran war

Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will be signing 10-year defense partnerships with Gulf nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as regional tensions rise amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The agreements focus on long-term military cooperation, including joint weapons production, technology sharing, and the exchange of specialized expertise.

Zelensky said the partnerships will involve co-producing defense equipment and building facilities both in Ukraine and in partner countries. He emphasized that Ukraine’s contributions extend beyond drone technology, highlighting battlefield experience, air defense capabilities, and electronic warfare systems developed during the war with Russia. Ukrainian personnel are already assisting some Gulf states in countering aerial threats, with additional training programs expected under the agreements.

The deals also include energy cooperation, as Ukraine seeks to stabilize its heavily targeted energy sector while global fuel markets remain volatile. Zelensky’s outreach reflects Kyiv’s broader effort to position itself as a security partner, particularly as concerns grow that the United States may shift resources toward the Middle East, potentially affecting support for Ukraine.

Russians killed three and injured 14 in Kramatorsk 

At least three people, including a child, were killed and 17 others injured in a series of Russian strikes across Donetsk Oblast on Sunday, with the heaviest damage reported in Kramatorsk. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces dropped multiple guided bombs on the city, killing a 65-year-old man, a 61-year-old woman, and a 13-year-old boy. More than a dozen civilians were wounded, and over 30 buildings — including apartment blocks, homes, and commercial sites — were damaged.

A second strike on Kramatorsk later in the day, reportedly involving cluster munitions, caused additional injuries. Elsewhere in the region, attacks also hit Sloviansk and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, where drones injured several more civilians and damaged residential buildings, a hotel, and vehicles.

Officials say the attacks underscore the continued targeting of civilian areas by Russia, as frontline cities in eastern Ukraine remain under persistent bombardment.

Russia took satellite images of US air base in Saudi Arabia three times before the Iranian strike

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia used satellites to image a U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia multiple times in the days leading up to an Iranian strike that injured American personnel. In an interview with NBC News, Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russia photographed Prince Sultan Air Base on March 20, 23, and 25, shortly before Iran launched an attack on March 26 that left 12 U.S. service members injured.

Zelensky argued that repeated satellite imaging is a known indicator of imminent attacks, based on Ukraine’s wartime experience. He said he is “100%” certain that Moscow shares intelligence with Tehran, suggesting such cooperation directly contributed to the strike. However, he did not present public evidence to support the claim or explain how the information was obtained.

The Ukrainian president also said Vladimir Putin stands to benefit from prolonged instability in the Middle East, citing rising oil prices and eased restrictions on Russian energy exports. Asked about U.S. policy, Zelensky expressed cautious hope that Donald Trump remains committed to Ukraine, while acknowledging that Washington’s current focus is primarily on its own national interests.