Can Iran's Shahed drones in Ukraine help ease tension with Russia? - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Analysis

Anton Mardasov

Anton Mardasov

Aug 6, 2023

TOPSHOT - A member of a Ukrainian volunteer unit and a computer science student Valdemar, 19, poses in the unit's gun position used to counter threats during air-raid sirens, in a suburb of Kyiv on February 28, 2023. - Colonel "Smak" and his Ukrainian volunteer unit of 80 civilian volunteers take turns day and night keeping watch for incoming threats: Iranian-made "Shahed" explosive drones launched by the Russians. Since October, the unit - whose machine gun dates back to the 1920s - has shot down three suc — TOPSHOT - A member of a Ukrainian volunteer unit and a computer science student Valdemar, 19, poses in the unit's gun position used to counter threats during air-raid sirens, in a suburb of Kyiv on February 28, 2023. - Colonel "Smak" and his Ukrainian volunteer unit of 80 civilian volunteers take turns day and night keeping watch for incoming threats: Iranian-made "Shahed" explosive drones launched by the Russians. — YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

A Ukrainian serviceman carries a downed Russian drone.

Analysis

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine hints at reliance on Iran

Anton Mardasov

Local residents inspect damages outside an apartment building after the overnight Russian drones attack in Kharkiv, Dec. 31, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv said on Dec. 31, 2023, it destroyed 21 of 49 Iranian-made "Shahed" drones fired by Russia overnight, adding that six guided missiles had also targeted the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

US sanctions target Russia’s production of Iranian attack drones

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on November 23, 2015. Putin arrived in Tehran for talks with Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, with the Syrian conflict expected to be high on the agenda. The one-day visit will also see Putin take part in a summit of gas exporting countries. AFP PHOTO / SPUTNIK / ALEXEI DRUZHININ (Photo by ALEXEI DRUZHININ / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEI DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Iran's missile capabilities can help Russia's war in Ukraine

Francesco Schiavi

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Iran drones

US: Iran drone factory in Russia could be operational next year

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military