Ukraine and Qatar signed a defense cooperation deal on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyymaking an unannounced visit to Doha.

The deal followed a similar pact with Saudi Arabia earlier this week, with Zelenskyy saying a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was expected to be finalized shortly.

During the US-Israel war with Iran, Kyiv has offered its drone expertise to Gulf states as they are coming under attack from Iran.

"Real security is built on partnership," Zelenskyy wrote on social media alongside a video of himself disembarking a plane and shaking hands with Qatari officials. "We value everyone and remain open to supporting all those who are ready to work together for this goal."

Russian drones target Odesa port

Ukraine's Gulf deals came as at least five more people were killed in Russian drone strikes on Odesa, Poltava and Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's hometown, on Saturday.

According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched 273 drones during the night, 252 of which were downed or electronically jammed. Zelenskyy said 60 of the drones were launched against the southern port city of Odesa.

"There was no military purpose whatsoever — this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life," he said, adding that "critical" port infrastructure and office space had been damaged.

Many of the drones used by Russia are based on the design of the Iranian Shahed drones, which are currently targeting Gulf states.

After battling the Russian invasion for over four years now, Ukraine has become a world leader in anti-drone warfare.

"The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems," said the Qatari defense ministry.

Kyiv denies Iran hit its drone depot in UAE

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian foreign ministry emphatically denied Iran's claims that a depot housing Ukrainian anti-drone systems had been destroyed in the UAE.

"This is a lie, we officially refute this information," said a spokesman, adding that Tehran "often conducts such disinformation operations."

Earlier this month, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv had dispatched 201 anti-drone military experts to the Middle East to assist the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic