The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted in its report on February 13, 2023, that Russia continues to use its relations with Iran to provide military support in the war with Ukraine. Iranian personnel directly help attack civilian infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
Source: The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW)
According to ISW, the IRGC’s (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) personnel likely support Russia’s use of drones by acting as operators and instructors.
ISW analysts noted that Iran had smuggled at least 18 long-range drones to Russia using boats and Iranian state planes.
“The Guardian found that these shipments include six Mohajer-6 drones and 12 Shahed-121 and 129 drones, which have air-to-ground strike capabilities and are designed to deliver a payload to the target and return to base, unlike the Shahed-131 and 136 loitering munition-type drones that Russian forces have widely used in Ukraine thus far,” explained the American Institute for the Study of War.
According to experts, Il-76 cargo planes connected to the IRGC regularly fly to Russia, and it is assumed that Tehran constantly provides Moscow with various materials.
“These data points, taken in tandem, suggest that Russia continues to rely on Iran for military and technological support in Ukraine and that some Iranian personnel are likely in Ukraine directly supporting Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure,” concluded the ISW.
See also: Iran admitted for the first time that it supplied Russia with drones
