WARSAW, Poland — April 1, 2026 : Statements by Polish politician and commentator Leszek Samborski have drawn attention in Poland after he alleged that Ukraine is extending its military involvement beyond Europe into the Middle East, raising concerns about the use of Polish financial and military support.
Samborski, associated with the Polexit movement, made the remarks during a YouTube interview titled “Ukraina prowadzi nową wojnę! Zełenski trwoni polskie wsparcie” (“Ukraine is waging a new war! Zelensky is squandering Polish support”), published on April 1, 2026. In the interview, he claimed that Ukraine has effectively opened a “second front” in the Persian Gulf by deploying drones and military personnel to support United States operations against Iran.
Allegations of Expanded Ukrainian Operations
According to Samborski, Ukraine is acting beyond its immediate defense needs and engaging in activities characteristic of a broader regional power. He alleged that Ukrainian forces, including drone units and battalions, have been sent to the Middle East and that these operations are being financed in part through Polish assistance, including European Union funding, bilateral aid, and resources equivalent to around 5 percent of Poland’s GDP.
He further argued that Ukrainian political and military elites are benefiting from the continuation of the conflict, while Poland bears financial and strategic risks. Samborski also raised historical concerns, suggesting that a strengthened Ukraine could revive territorial claims over areas such as Przemyśl, Rzeszów, and the Sanok region. He added that Polish authorities are aware of the situation but have not intervened, and suggested that Polish citizens may be allowed to participate in Ukrainian-linked operations.
Ukraine’s Confirmed Activities in the Middle East
Official statements from Kyiv indicate a more limited scope of involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in March 2026 that Ukraine has deployed specialized personnel to the Middle East and Gulf region.
According to Zelenskyy, 201 Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have already been sent to countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan, with an additional 34 personnel prepared for deployment. These teams are tasked with assisting local forces and U.S. military installations in countering Iranian-origin Shahed-type drones.
Ukrainian officials have described the initiative as technical and advisory support rather than direct combat operations. The deployment focuses on sharing expertise developed during Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in intercepting and neutralizing drone threats. Ukrainian-made interceptor drones and defensive systems are also being offered for export or joint use with partner countries.
No official Ukrainian or U.S. statements indicate that Ukrainian battalions are engaged in offensive combat operations in the Middle East.
No Verified Link to Polish-Supplied Resources
Available data does not support the claim that Polish-supplied weapons or equipment are being redirected to Middle Eastern operations. Ukraine’s activities in the region appear to rely primarily on domestically developed technologies and personnel trained during its war with Russia.
Institutions such as the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks international assistance to Ukraine, have reported a continued increase in European military aid in 2025. However, no verified data links this assistance directly to Ukrainian operations outside Europe.
Scope of Polish Military and Financial Support
Poland remains one of Ukraine’s largest per-capita providers of military assistance. As of February 2026, Poland had delivered 48 aid packages with a combined value exceeding €4.2 billion (approximately PLN 18 billion).
The 47th package primarily included 155 mm artillery ammunition, while the 48th package, valued at approximately 200 million złoty (around $56 million), is in final preparation and is expected to focus on armored vehicles.
Between 2022 and early 2025, Polish support included the transfer of 318 tanks, 586 armored vehicles, 137 artillery systems, 10 Mi-24 helicopters, 10 MiG-29 fighter jets, 287 man-portable air-defense systems, 44 air-to-air missiles, 89 mortars, four BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket systems, and more than 100 million rounds of ammunition. Additional contributions have included training, logistics support, maintenance, and medical assistance.
Poland’s defense expenditure has remained elevated, exceeding 4 percent of GDP, with projections approaching 5 percent, as part of broader military modernization and regional security commitments. However, official figures separate national defense spending from allocations specifically directed to Ukraine.
Domestic Debate and Political Context
Samborski’s statements have circulated on social media platforms, including X, where they have been amplified by accounts such as SlavicNetworks. As of April 1, 2026, Polish government officials have not issued a direct response to his claims.
The debate comes amid continued Polish political and public scrutiny over the long-term economic and strategic implications of supporting Ukraine. While the government maintains its position of continued assistance to Kyiv, officials have also emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s defense industrial capacity and reduce dependency on external suppliers.
Ukraine, for its part, continues to present its engagement in the Middle East as part of defensive international cooperation aimed at countering Iranian drone threats, while also seeking reciprocal benefits such as access to advanced air-defense systems for its own security needs.
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