A drone expert claims that Russia is using Iranian-made technology in Ukraine.

The Russian-Ukrainian war , which began in 2022, has become a military conflict with significant global repercussions. Beyond the economic, political, and social impacts, the war is also marked by arms development , with Russia having factories that produce Iranian Shashed drones, and Ukraine possessing naval drones capable of shooting down Russian fighter jets .

However, Russia's use of Iranian-made devices suggests that the country has more powerful weapons to increase its combat effectiveness. Furthermore, proof of this is the recent discovery by a Ukrainian drone expert, who claims that Russia has other drones equipped with new Iranian-made anti-jamming technology .

The Associated Press reveals that these devices feature an advanced camera, an artificial intelligence-based computing platform, and a radio link that allows an operator to pilot them remotely. Furthermore, unlike Russian attack drones, which are black, these are white and bear no markings or labels that match those of Russian-made drones.

Serhii Beskrestnov, an electronics expert, told The Associated Press that the stickers on these devices followed Iran's "standard labeling system." However, other experts told the agency that "the stickers are not conclusive proof," although "the English words are consistent with how Iran labels its drones." Therefore, it is quite likely that Iran sold these drones to Russia for combat testing.

Could Russia run out of Iranian supplies?

Russia has been bombing Ukraine almost daily with Iranian-made drones in the fourth year of the war , according to The Associated Press . The unmanned aerial vehicles, which buzz like a moped, hover over cities as air defenses and snipers try to bring them down. While some are armed with warheads, many simply act as decoys.

Furthermore, Russia continues to refine both the technology and tactics associated with the use of drones, thereby achieving more effective attacks against Ukraine. However, "the UK Ministry of Defense stated that Israeli attacks on Iran will negatively impact the future supply of Iranian military equipment to Russia ."

However, although Russian drones are based on an Iranian design, most are currently produced within Russia itself. Therefore, experts note that since much of the technology needed to manufacture them—including software and technical know-how from Iran—has already been transferred to Russia, the immediate impact on its drone program would be limited . But they warn that if Israel were to attack key facilities involved in the production of drones and components such as engines or anti-jamming systems intended for Russia, the country could face supply problems .

These are the Iranian-made drones used by Russia.

Russia is using Shahed drones increasingly strategically, flying them at high altitudes to keep them out of reach of Ukrainian gunmen, and also at low altitudes to evade radar detection.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russia has stepped up mass attacks with these drones, using them in groups to bomb cities and even dive-bombing specific targets. Furthermore, Shahed drones perform key tactical functions , such as clearing the way for cruise missiles or saturating Ukrainian air defenses with waves of decoy drones.

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