Reports indicate that Ukraine has deployed troops in western Libya. This is part of Kyiv’s strategy of projecting influence into regions where Russian presence is entrenched. Ukrainian military personnel are reportedly stationed at bases controlled by the internationally recognized Government of National Unity, the rival of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar. The LNA maintains close security ties with Russia and hosts Russian troops and PMCs in the territory it controls.
This would not be the first instance in which Ukraine has deployed assets in countries with Russian military or paramilitary activity, in an effort to counterbalance Russian influence on multiple fronts. Ukraine has previously supported Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria against Assad —an ally of Russia— and the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces, which maintained close ties with Russian mercenaries. However, in both cases, outcomes were mixed at best, as local leadership ultimately moved toward pragmatic engagement with Moscow. In Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime, Ahmed al-Sharaa reapproached Moscow, while in Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan upgraded relations with Russia. Notably, neither country supported the 2026 UNGA resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Another example is Mali, where Ukrainian intelligence reportedly conducted operations against Russia’s Wagner Group.
A similar pattern may now be emerging in the Gulf, where Ukraine appears aligned with states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, in opposition to Iran, a key Russian partner. Amid regional tensions following the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran, Ukraine is delivering anti-drone technology to Gulf monarchies and Jordan to counter Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Whether this approach will yield lasting strategic gains remains uncertain, given that Russia retains leverage despite its waning influence following the invasion of Ukraine. If past precedents are any indication, short-term tactical alignment does not always translate into long-term geopolitical advantage. Still, Ukraine’s strategy demonstrates strategic flexibility and rapid adaptability.
