Power Or Profit: Why Iran Is Helping Russia Wage War

Iranian weapons allegedly used by Russia against Ukraine are under fresh scrutiny after Kyiv unveiled details about Westernsourced components of drones it had captured on the battlefield.

- Borzou Daragahi

Ukraine's defence ministry says that an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone used by Russian forces in the skies of eastern Europe bore dates suggesting it was manufactured in February, the month Moscow launched its attack, potentially contradicting Tehran's claims that it had sold the weapons before the war began.

Kyiv says the drones used parts made in the United States, Austria and Japan, while Canada has conceded that engines it sold Iran could have been used for the drones. "Ukrainian specialists are studying how foreign components ended up in Iranian drones," the defence ministry said. "Serial numbers and data about the components have already been handed over to partner countries."

Russia's nine-month war against Ukraine has drawn Moscow and Tehran closer to each other than ever.

Western officials have alleged that Iran was preparing to supply Russia with ballistic missiles it could use to restock its dwindling arsenal and launch attacks on Ukrainian targets. ASky News report cited an unnamed source alleging that Moscow had paid Iran the equivalent of €140m in cash and handed over captured British and American weapons in exchange for the combat drones. An Iranian news website affiliated with its leadership has rejected the allegation.

Russia's national security adviser Nikolay Patrushev met in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani yesterday, ostensibly to discuss joint economic projects, evasion of western sanctions, and the war in Ukraine, according to public statements and news reports. "Iran supports any initiative based on dialogue that leads to a ceasefire and peace between Russia and Ukraine," Mr Shamkhani said.