UK deploys elite drone hunters to Middle East after training in Ukraine

On Tuesday, March 3, soldiers were sent to the region who, together with Ukrainians, underwent training in the latest tactics for combating Russian drones. It is expected that more military personnel will be sent later this week.

Among the elite military personnel who trained with the Ukrainians are soldiers from the 12th Regiment of the Royal Artillery, the British Army's main unit for combating drones. These soldiers, in turn, trained Ukrainian military personnel in the use of missiles.

The deployment of troops to the Middle East was carried out at the request of several countries in the region, sources said earlier.

There are two groups of British soldiers:

The source tells the agency that the first group is British soldiers who have experience working in Ukraine and with Ukrainians, and they will be able to offer specialized advice, in particular on how to combine probing, warning, and targeting drones.

The exact location of the base where the soldiers were sent is not being disclosed. It is believed that no broader order to mobilize additional troops has been issued, which means that those who go on the mission will likely replace soldiers who are already in the combat zone.

Strike on British air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus

The Telegraph adds that this measure to send soldiers to the Middle East was taken after an Iranian drone struck the Royal Air Force at an air base in Cyprus on Sunday evening.

The drone that struck Cyprus is believed to be similar to the Iranian Shahed drone, which has been widely used by Tehran to bomb Israel and the Middle East in general, as well as by Russia against Ukraine.

Spain and Italy have decided to send their frigates to Cyprus to assist the Greek Navy in defending the island. In this way, the countries have joined the confrontation in the Middle East.