Iran supplied hundreds of drones to Russia for attack on Ukraine: White House

The White House said on Friday (June 9) that Russia appeared to deepen its defence cooperation with Iran and this had resulted in it getting hundreds of Iranian drones which it was using to strike Ukraine.

The White House cited newly declassified information. It said that the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) built in Iran were being shipped across the Caspian Sea and were then being used by Russia against Ukraine.

"Russia has been using Iranian UAVs in recent weeks to strike Kyiv and terrorize the Ukrainian population, and the Russia-Iran military partnership appears to be deepening," White House spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia."

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Kirby said that the US was in possession of information that Russia was receiving materials from Iran which was required to build a drone manufacturing plant. This plant, said Kirby could be fully operational early next year.

"We are releasing satellite imagery of the planned location of this UAV manufacturing plant in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone," he said.

The US has previously sanctioned Iranian executives at a defence manufacturer over drone supplies to Russia. Iran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia but said in the past they were sent before Russia's February invasion. Moscow has denied its forces used Iranian drones in Ukraine. A White House official said Iran had transferred several hundred drones to Russia since August.

Kirby said that support between Iran and Russia was both ways. Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia. This includes helicopters and radars.

"Russia has been offering Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics, and air defense," he said.

"This is a full-scale defense partnership that is harmful to Ukraine, to Iran’s neighbors, and to the international community. We are continuing to use all the tools at our disposal to expose and disrupt these activities including by sharing this with the public – and we are prepared to do more."

Violation of UN rules

Kirby said that drone transfer constituted violation of United Nations rules. He added that the US would seek to hold Russia and Iran accountable.

In addition to the US, countries like Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine say that supply of Iran-made drones to Russia violates a 2015 U.N. Security Council resolution enshrining the Iran nuclear deal.

Under the 2015 U.N. resolution, a conventional arms embargo on Iran was in place until October 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)

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