Moscow received first delivery of drones, Kremlin likely aims to procure hundreds
Russia has found ‘malfunctions’ in Iranian-made drones acquired this month and planned for use in its war with Ukraine, a senior US administration official was quoted as saying by Monday. Reuters.
Russian cargo planes have picked up a first batch from an airfield in Iran, the official said on Monday. washington post. According to information collected by US spy agencies, serious technical failures appeared during the first tests.
According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the United States believes that Moscow received an initial delivery of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) part of the Mohajer-6 and Shahed series, the Kremlin probably aiming to get hundreds of them.
“We estimate that Russia intends to use these Iranian drones, which can carry out air-to-ground attacks, electronic warfare and targeting operations, on the battlefield in Ukraine,” the official said.
Last July, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that the United States had information showing that Iran was preparing to supply Russia with up to several hundred drones.
The drones are “considered to be among Iran’s high-end military devices, designed for attack as well as surveillance”, the official said. washington post.
Signs of increased cooperation between Moscow and Tehran are adding to concerns over nuclear talks between Iran and major powers.
Prospects for a return to the agreement have been revived in recent days when Washington said it had responded to the European proposal. The Islamic Republic intends to “examine carefully the opinion of the United States” and will then transmit “its opinion to the coordinator” of the EU, Josep Borrell.
