KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Wednesday that Ukrainian forces used domestically produced interceptor drones to shoot down Iranian-designed Shahed drones in multiple Middle Eastern countries during the Iran war. Zelenskyy made the acknowledgment in remarks to reporters that were embargoed until Friday.

The operations were part of a broader effort to help partners counter the same weapons Russia has used against Ukraine. The domestically produced interceptor drones had been proven effective in countering the Iranian-designed Shaheds on Ukrainian soil before being deployed abroad. Ukraine took part in the defensive operations before a tentative ceasefire in the Middle East was reached among Iran, the United States and Israel.

"This was not about a training mission or exercises, but about support in building a modern air defense system that can actually work." Zelenskyy said he did not identify the countries where Ukrainian personnel operated but said they worked across several nations to help strengthen those countries' air defense systems.

Zelenskyy had previously said that 228 Ukrainian experts were deployed in the region. In exchange for the operations, Ukraine is receiving weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, along with oil, diesel and, in some cases, financial arrangements. He said the agreements would bolster Ukraine's energy stability.

"We are helping strengthen their security in exchange for contributions to our country's resilience." Zelenskyy added: "This is far more than simply receiving money."

Zelenskyy also said partners had urged Kyiv to scale back attacks during Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. "I won't say who asked us to do this. But partners did ask — it's a fact. They asked at different levels, from political to military leadership," he said in remarks to reporters.

Partners are continuing to supply missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, and the country is working with all partners to ensure its air defense remains in place. No independent confirmation of the Middle Eastern operations was provided by the partner countries involved.