With the help of boats and an Iranian-owned airline, Iran smuggled new types of advanced long-range armed drones to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine, sources familiar with the details revealed. In addition, at least 18 of the drones were delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fleet after Russian officers and technicians They made a special visit to Tehran in November, where they were shown the variety of Iranian technologies.
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On that occasion, the Russian delegation selected six Mohajer-6 drones, which have a range of about 200 kilometers and carry two missiles under each wing. In addition, 12 Shahad 191 and Shahad 129 drones were also selected. Unlike the familiar drones More, of the Shahad 131 and 136 types, the drones chosen and flying higher, were designed to send bombs and return to base unharmed. The new revelations demonstrate the growing closeness between Iran and Russia, who share hostility towards the US.
Last August, American officials said that Iran began presenting the Shahad 191 and 129 drones to Russia in June, and said that they expect Tehran to sell them to Moscow. Mohajer-6 drones began to fall in Ukraine in September. Faced with a growing shortage of missiles, Russia has turned to Iran and North Korea to replenish its stockpiles in order to carry out its planned bombing campaign against Ukraine. Many in Ukraine fear that Russia plans to launch a major offensive around the anniversary of the war, less than two weeks away.
Meanwhile, the US, UK and other Western governments are closely monitoring arms cooperation, in part in an effort to prevent it from escalating. Additionally, there have been reports that Russia has sought to buy ballistic missiles, but there is no evidence that Tehran has agreed to send them.