Russia is turning to Iran for weapons, says the US

Russia is turning to Iran for weapons, says the US
FILE PHOTO: Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

Up to now, the West has supplied billions of dollars worth of military weapons to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia, with countries like the US remaining committed to sustaining “the effective defense of Ukraine." In parallel, the countries are also trying to find ways to cut down the amount of money Russia makes, which is, in turn, helping fund its war.

On Monday, according to the White House, US officials said they believe Russia has turned to Iran, another country heavily sanctioned by the US, for drones. This comes after Ukraine also asked for thousands of drones to be donated to it last week, with both sides needing them to spot one another’s positions to help direct firing. Previously, Russia went to Israel for drone technology, but because Israel has kept neutral during the war, Russia needs a new supplier.

Key comments:

“Our information indicates that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with up to several hundred UAVs, including weapons-capable UAVs on an expedited timeline," said US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to reporters. Sullivan added that this shows that Russia’s overwhelming attacks in Ukraine are “coming at a cost to the sustainment of its own weapons."