Russia is close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran to bolster its war effort against the US and Israel, according to a report.
Senior Iranian and Russian officials began secretly discussing the delivery of drones days after Israel and the US launched their first attack on Tehran last month, two officials briefed on the intelligence told The Financial Times.
Moscow began its deliveries in early March and they were expected to be completed by the end of the month, western intelligence said.
Russia has remained a close ally of Tehran as the war continues, following years of support from Iran for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly claimed that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran. He said on Wednesday that Moscow had sought to blackmail the United States by offering to stop sharing military intelligence with Iran if, in return, Washington would cut off Kyiv from its intelligence data.
On Monday he claimed to have “irrefutable” evidence that Russia is continuing to provide intelligence to Iran, telling Reuters he had seen the data but providing no further details.
A shipment of drones would be the first evidence of Moscow’s lethal support to Iran since the war began.
Asked about the shipment of drones, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the FT: “There are a lot of fakes going around right now. One thing is true — we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership”.
Iran has been a key supplier of Shahed drones, a vital part of Russia’s artillery in its war against Ukraine. Moscow has fired hundreds of Shahed drones a night during its offensive against Ukraine, which has led Kyiv to become experts in defensive drone warfare.
Zelensky said on Wednesday said that Gulf states were showing a strong interest in Ukraine’s experience in defending against drones.
“We already see that not only ‘Shaheds’ are being used in the region, but there is also growing evidence of the use of FPV drones,” he said on X. “This is modern warfare, and everyone must be prepared for it. Ukraine has this expertise, and in exchange for our support we need help in areas where we face greater challenges.
“This includes protection against ballistic threats and financial resources for defence. Ukraine offers a mutually beneficial partnership: we can strengthen those who can strengthen us.
“The situation in the world now is such that only coordinated and joint actions can guarantee real results and genuine security. We are being blocked in Europe, and as long as this risk remains, we must seek out additional opportunities to strengthen ourselves.
“The Middle East and the Gulf are the right direction and serious opportunities to make Ukraine stronger.”
