The United States showed that the Iranian regime was supplying drones to Russia to bomb Ukraine

UNITED STATES He assured that Iran was supplying drones to Russia to bomb Ukraine, disclosing photos and analyzes of planes used in the conflict.

At a press conference in London, analysts from the Defense Intelligence Agency They showed photos of drones attacking Ukraine, as well as footage of drones previously identified as Iranian. By comparing aspects such as the tail, nose and landing gear, drones are shown to be “indistinguishable” from Shahed-131, Shahed-136 and Mohajer 6 attack drones used in the Middle East, according to analysts.

The purpose of the presentation is to persuade governments or international agencies of Iranian involvement in Ukraine. Iran said it had sent “a small number” of drones to Russiabut insists it was before the conflict.

The evidence shows otherwise, said a Defense Intelligence Agency official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the information.

“Iran is Russia’s partner in this conflict“, affirmed the source.

US officials further suggested that Iran extracts valuable information using its technology in Ukraineincluding how drones perform in different weather conditions, how they can be used in different circumstances, and instant feedback to make them more efficient.

For example, learning that civilians can flee when they hear drones approaching will allow designers to build stealthier versions of drones, the official said.

“It’s a process for them. Iran can see these comments and make adjustments accordingly.“said the official.

The war in Ukraine also allows Iran to demonstrate the capabilities of its technologies to potential buyers.

“Iran sees this as an excellent business opportunity.“, he expressed.

Sources inside the regime said that Iran smuggled into Moscow at least 18 long-range drones for use by Vladimir Putin’s troops during their invasion of Ukraine.

The weapons were handed over to the Russian military after a special visit by officers and technicians to Tehran last November, according to the newspaper. The Guardian.

During this visit, the Russian delegation selected six Mohajer-6 drones, which have a range of about 200 kilometers and carry two missiles under each wing, as well as 12 Shahed 191 and 129 drones, which also have an air strike capability. -floor.

According to these sources, most of the drones sent to Russia were secretly recovered by an Iranian ship from a base on the Caspian Sea coast, then transferred offshore to a Russian Navy ship. Others, instead, were sent via an Iranian state airline.

In recent months, Putin’s troops have used Iranian drones Shahid 131 and 136 carry out kamikaze raids against Ukrainian civilian targets. Unlike these, the highest-flying ones are designed to drop bombs and return to base intact.

The Ukrainian military claims to have shot down hundreds of these Iranian-made “kamikaze” drones. Russia is said to have ordered around 2,400 drones of this model.

Since last September, Ukrainian forces have also shot down Mohajer-6 drones. These drones can fly for six hours and are powered by electricity. In addition, they have the capacity to carry 40 kilogram bombs and have high precision imaging and aiming systems.

The Shahed 129, on the other hand, carries a load of about 60 kilograms and can stay airborne for about four hours, while the Shahed 191 can fly for five hours loaded with 70 kilograms.

It is estimated that the last delivery of Iranian drones was put into service in Ukraine on November 20. Further deliveries were expected, but the military factory in the central city of Isfahan, where part of the drones were being developed, was attacked on January 28. The bombardment left extensive damage to the manufacture of Iran’s most advanced weapons systems, including precision-guided missiles and drones.

(With information from The Associated Press and The Guardian)

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