Ukraine War: Missile Shortage, Iran Conflict & Rapeseed Boost – March 19, 2026 Updates

Ukraine faces missile shortage due to war in Iran, says Zelensky

The ongoing conflict in Iran is creating ripple effects across geopolitical landscapes, including a potential strain on Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia is benefiting financially from the war in Iran, and that Ukraine is facing a missile shortage as a result. This comes as Ukraine continues to defend against Russian attacks and simultaneously provides expertise to Middle Eastern nations countering Iran’s drone technology.

More than 200 Ukrainian military experts are currently deployed in the Gulf region and wider Middle East, assisting governments in defending against Iranian drone attacks, Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday. An additional 34 experts are prepared for deployment. These teams, specializing in countering Shahed drones – Iranian-designed “kamikaze” drones used by Russia since 2022 – are stationed in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and are en route to Kuwait. Ukraine is too collaborating with other countries, with agreements already in place, to prevent the success of what Zelenskyy termed “the terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbours.”

Kremlin says it will try to assist Russian archaeologist facing extradition to Ukraine

The Kremlin indicated on Thursday its intention to assist a Russian archaeologist, Alexander Butyagin, who faces potential extradition to Ukraine. Butyagin is accused by Ukraine of involvement in unauthorized excavation and the plundering of historical artifacts in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov alleged that the Polish court handling the extradition request harbored pro-Ukrainian sympathies.

Peace talks on a ‘situational pause’ says Peskov

Trilateral peace negotiations involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine are currently on a “situational pause,” according to the Kremlin. Russia’s Izvestia newspaper reported that the conflict in Iran has temporarily halted these discussions. Despite this pause, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed hope for a resumption of negotiations in the future. Peskov also noted that the escalating war in the Middle East is destabilizing energy markets, with global repercussions, including for Russia.

Watch: Russia has already made $10bn on Iran war, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia has already profited by $10 billion from the ongoing conflict in Iran.

In pictures: Sean Penn speaks to Ukrainian officer of the National Guard 3rd Operational “Spartan” Brigade near the front line

In pictures: A resident walks near an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike in Odesa

Watch: Ukraine advances in ‘kill zone’ areas as forces strike Russian drone unit in Donetsk

Ukraine could boost rapeseed plantings if Iran conflict drags on

Ukraine may increase its rapeseed plantings by a third to 1.5 million hectares if the conflict in Iran continues. This potential expansion is driven by soaring global fuel prices, which are increasing demand for biodiesel feedstocks. Ukraine is a major European producer and exporter of rapeseed, primarily supplying EU countries for cooking oil and biodiesel production. Deputy Economy Minister Taras Vysotskiy indicated that increasing the cultivated area by 400,000 hectares is feasible if the situation persists, though challenging to achieve in a single year.