Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday claimed that Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones that are being used against the United States and Israel.In an interview with CNN, Zelenskyy told journalist Fareed Zakaria that it was “100% fact” that Iran had used Russian-made Shahed drones in attacks on American bases.
Shahed drones have been linked to several attacks across the Middle East, although the exact manufacturer of some drones used in these strikes has not always been confirmed.Earlier this week, Zelenskyy also made similar claims in a post on the social media platform X stating that “Russia has started supporting the Iranian regime with drones. It will definitely help with missiles, and it is also helping them with air defense.”However, he did not provide specific details about the assistance.Russia has also shared imagery from its satellite network with Iran. It remains unclear what Moscow is receiving in return for its support, CNN reported. However, Moscow has previously denied sharing intelligence with Iran.
What are Shahed-136 drones?
The Shahed-136 drone is a loitering munition originally developed by Iran as a cheaper alternative to traditional missiles. Designed with a delta-wing structure, the drone can travel long distances toward a target area before diving into it and detonating its explosive payload.
According to analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the drone has a range of around 1,000 miles, can reach speeds of about 114 miles per hour and carries a warhead weighing between 66 and 123 pounds.Each unit is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $50,000, making it far cheaper than conventional missile systems while still capable of causing significant damage.The affordability of such drones allows militaries to launch them in large numbers at once, overwhelming air-defence systems and forcing opponents to use far more expensive interceptor missiles.Shahed drones first saw large-scale use during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where thousands have been launched by Russian forces since late 2022, according to Ukrainian officials.Although Iran initially supplied the drones to Russia, Moscow has since begun producing its own versions domestically. Similar Shahed-type drones have also been adopted by other militaries, including the United States.Iran has deployed large numbers of drones across the Middle East, targeting sites in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Regional authorities say hundreds of drones have been intercepted, though some have managed to strike infrastructure including airports, ports, hotels and residential buildings. The growing use of low-cost drones has also pushed the United States to rethink its defence strategy.
