US publishes new details of Russia-Iran military drone cooperation

The White House released new details of deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran on military drone production, including the supply route Iran will use to deliver its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to front lines in Ukraine and a potential Russian factory. does to send to the site of create them

The information is part of a steady stream of declassified intelligence about military ties between Moscow and Tehran, as Washington seeks to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over his war in Ukraine and starve him for military hardware.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “The drones are built in Iran, shipped from Amirabad, Iran, to Makhachkala, Russia, across the Caspian Sea, and then actively used by the Russian military against Ukraine.” Are.” “We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia.”

The US released a satellite image of Russia’s Alabuga exclusive economic zone, which it says is likely to be home to Iranian drones produced by Moscow. Kirby said the US had information that Russia was receiving materials from Iran to build a drone manufacturing site.

“We are continuing to use all the tools at our disposal to expose and disrupt these activities, including sharing this with the public, and we stand ready to do more,” Kirby said.

The US on Friday announced a new government advisory to inform businesses and governments about the risks of Iran’s drone program and the illegal ways Tehran can obtain supplies for it. It previously blacklisted people and businesses it said were involved in the transfer of Iranian military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine and found in Iranian drones that ended up on the battlefield in Ukraine. Has worked with European partners to prevent electronic components.

Iranian-made drones have been a key part of Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine which intensified in October. UAVs have been used to attack critical infrastructure and residential targets in Kiev, with several attacks resulting in the deaths of Ukrainian civilians.

Moscow further escalated its airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital last month, launching dozens of drones marooned with cruise missiles and other rockets in at least 18 bombings over 31 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address last month that “about 1,160 drones have been used against Ukraine” and that its air defenses “have shot down about 900 of these drones to date”.

In an appeal to the leadership in Tehran and “every Iranian family”, Zelensky also asked “Why do you want to be an accomplice in Russian terror? . . . Why does Iran need such horrendous killings, which are caused by your weapons at the hands of Russia?” Has been done?

The US released satellite imagery and intelligence last year suggesting Iran had sold hundreds of attack drones to Moscow. Last month, the White House warned that Russia was looking to buy more attack drones from Iran after using up most of the 400 drones previously purchased from Tehran. Kirby said on Friday that Russia had received hundreds of unguided attack drones and equipment related to drone production from Iran by May.

President Joe Biden’s administration has also warned that Iran is considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, but no deal has yet been reached.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month that Russia and Iran had “adapted very well to US pressure” and were “building relations based on mutual benefit and respect, taking into account each other’s interests and concerns”. will continue”. He said Russia “never had the illusion” that the US would stop pressuring countries that “genuinely seek mutually beneficial cooperation”.

Iran has denied taking sides in the Ukraine war or selling drones to Russia for use on the battlefield. But Iranian military commanders have expressed interest in boosting military ties with Moscow, notably buying Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets to bolster its air force.

Additional reporting by Max Seddon in Riga and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran

The White House released new details of deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran on military drone production, including the supply route Iran will use to deliver its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to front lines in Ukraine and a potential Russian factory. does to send to the site of create them

The information is part of a steady stream of declassified intelligence about military ties between Moscow and Tehran, as Washington seeks to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over his war in Ukraine and starve him for military hardware.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “The drones are built in Iran, shipped from Amirabad, Iran, to Makhachkala, Russia, across the Caspian Sea, and then actively used by the Russian military against Ukraine.” Are.” “We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia.”

The US released a satellite image of Russia’s Alabuga exclusive economic zone, which it says is likely to be home to Iranian drones produced by Moscow. Kirby said the US had information that Russia was receiving materials from Iran to build a drone manufacturing site.

“We are continuing to use all the tools at our disposal to expose and disrupt these activities, including sharing this with the public, and we stand ready to do more,” Kirby said.

The US on Friday announced a new government advisory to inform businesses and governments about the risks of Iran’s drone program and the illegal ways Tehran can obtain supplies for it. It previously blacklisted people and businesses it said were involved in the transfer of Iranian military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine and found in Iranian drones that ended up on the battlefield in Ukraine. Has worked with European partners to prevent electronic components.

Iranian-made drones have been a key part of Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine which intensified in October. UAVs have been used to attack critical infrastructure and residential targets in Kiev, with several attacks resulting in the deaths of Ukrainian civilians.

Moscow further escalated its airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital last month, launching dozens of drones marooned with cruise missiles and other rockets in at least 18 bombings over 31 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address last month that “about 1,160 drones have been used against Ukraine” and that its air defenses “have shot down about 900 of these drones to date”.

In an appeal to the leadership in Tehran and “every Iranian family”, Zelensky also asked “Why do you want to be an accomplice in Russian terror? . . . Why does Iran need such horrendous killings, which are caused by your weapons at the hands of Russia?” Has been done?

The US released satellite imagery and intelligence last year suggesting Iran had sold hundreds of attack drones to Moscow. Last month, the White House warned that Russia was looking to buy more attack drones from Iran after using up most of the 400 drones previously purchased from Tehran. Kirby said on Friday that Russia had received hundreds of unguided attack drones and equipment related to drone production from Iran by May.

President Joe Biden’s administration has also warned that Iran is considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, but no deal has yet been reached.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month that Russia and Iran had “adapted very well to US pressure” and were “building relations based on mutual benefit and respect, taking into account each other’s interests and concerns”. will continue”. He said Russia “never had the illusion” that the US would stop pressuring countries that “genuinely seek mutually beneficial cooperation”.

Iran has denied taking sides in the Ukraine war or selling drones to Russia for use on the battlefield. But Iranian military commanders have expressed interest in boosting military ties with Moscow, notably buying Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets to bolster its air force.

Additional reporting by Max Seddon in Riga and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran