Russia is using Iranian drones to damage energy infrastructure in Ukraine, depriving millions of Ukrainians of electricity and heating and critical services. “People in Ukraine today are actually dying as a result of Iran’s actions”
Russia and Iran’s relationship has warmed to a full defense partnership, the US has announced. Russia is giving an unprecedented level of military support to Iran, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
The US has announced that the two countries are considering the joint production of drones. Ukraine accused Iran of supplying Russia with kamikaze-type drones that were used in deadly attacks on October 17. Tehran initially denied the allegations, but later admitted that it had sent a “limited number” of drones to Moscow “many months” before the war.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that this was a lie and that many more Iranian drones were used. The Ukrainian Air Force announced that it shot down 10 out of 15 drones in southern Ukraine in the early hours of last Saturday. The governor of Odessa said the attacks caused power outages in most of the region.
In a speech last Friday, Kirby said that a partnership between Iran and Russia to produce drones would harm Ukraine, Iran’s neighbors and the international community. “Russia seeks to cooperate with Iran in areas such as weapons development, training,” he said, adding that the US fears that Russia intends to ” Provide Iran with advanced military components, including helicopters and air defense systems.”
“Iran has become Russia’s top military supporter,” he said. “Russia is using Iranian drones to attack energy infrastructure, depriving millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heating and critical services. People in Ukraine today are actually dying as a result of Iran’s actions.”