Israel has not done enough, it needs to equip us with drones, says Kyiv

ISRAEL has come under pressure to share its expertise on drone warfare with Ukrainian forces as Kyiv faces a new threat from Iranian drones sold to Russia, which have reportedly targeted Jews in the south of the country.

This week, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel complained that it “has not done enough” to provide air support, echoing a similar warning from Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine. Several letters to Benny Gantz, the defence minister of Israel, had so far gone unanswered, he said.

He also warned that the drone attacks could directly affect Israel, citing reports that Iranian-made drones have been launched to attack Jewish pilgrims in Uman, southern Ukraine.

“We are asking for more help from Israel, with an emphasis on military aid,” said Yevgen Korniychuk in an interview with Israeli broadcaster Channel 2.

“There are requests that are placed on the desk of defence minister Gantz without a response,” he added. “Israel needs to equip us with anti-aircraft weapons. This is the time. So far Israel has not done enough. Israel is good at humanitarian aid, but we won’t win with bandages.”

Referring to reports of an Iranian drone attack on Jewish pilgrims in Uman, he said Ukrainian troops “operated well” in responding to the threat. The Sunday Telegraph approached the Israeli foreign ministry for comment but did not receive a response.

The request puts Israel in an uncomfortable position as its so-called shadow war with Iran has turned the country into a leading authority on tackling the regime’s drones and other weapons. However, it is cautious of angering Russia, which so far has turned a blind eye to Israeli attacks on Iranian-backed forces in Syria.

Moscow is also threatening to shut down the Jewish Agency in Russia, which helps Russian Jews emigrate to Israel, in apparent retaliation for Israeli leaders condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

After several months of losses on the battlefield, Russia is increasingly reliant on Iranian-manufactured UAVs to hit back at Ukraine’s forces.