Ukraine: The Latest Russia ‘helps Iran smash $500m US base’s battlefield nerve centre’ & Ukraine seals historic 10-year Gulf defence pacts
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Mar 30, 2026 
Joe Barnes, Brussels correspondent on EU politics and voting rules. James Rothwell, Berlin correspondent on German defence and political rows. They discuss Russia-linked surveillance and Iran’s strike on a US aircraft. They cover Zelensky’s new 10-year Gulf defense pacts and co-production deals. They debate Rheinmetall’s controversial comments and how drones are reshaping European military priorities.
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Ukraine Strikes Cripple Russian Baltic Oil Exports
- Ukrainian long-range strikes hit Russian oil export hubs in the Baltic, visibly damaging loading piers and storage tanks near Ust-Luga and prompting Russia to consider temporarily suspending gasoline exports from April 1st.
- Satellite imagery shows pulverised oil loading piers and thick smog at Ust-Luga, and Reuters reported up to 40% export capacity knocked out in a single attack last week.
Allegation That Russia Helped Iran Hit AWACS
- Zelensky accused Russia of providing satellite imagery to Iran ahead of the strike that destroyed a $500m US E3 Sentry AWACS, claiming Moscow shared surveillance of a Saudi base before the attack.
- The E3 Sentry was described as a battlefield nerve centre that tracks air activity, making the loss strategically significant if Russia aided Iran's targeting.
Ukraine Sells Anti-Drone Expertise To Gulf States
- Zelensky signed 10-year defence pacts with Gulf states emphasising Ukrainian anti-drone tech and co-production, offering cheaper interceptors and training in electronic warfare.
- Ukrainian interceptors cost roughly $1,000 versus Patriot missiles at about $1m, and Kyiv plans co-production and deployed ~200 anti-drone experts to the Middle East.