United States officials believe Russia now has Iranian drones that can carry weapons and will likely use them on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The Russians reportedly took the drones early this month from an Iranian airbase and flew back to Russia in the middle of August aboard cargo planes, according to the officials of the Biden administration.
Russian government representatives began training for Iranian drones operation in Iran late last month, as previously reported by CNN.
The Mohajer-6 and Shahed-series drones-the Shahed-129 and Shahed-191-have reportedly been legally acquired and given back to Russia, where they would likely be used in the war in Ukraine, per the US.
Both types of UAVs may carry precision-guided weaponry and be used for surveillance.
Russian operators are still receiving drone training in Iran, and the US estimates that Vladimir Putin aims to import hundreds for air-to-surface attacks and electronic warfare and to target Ukraine.
The Washington Post was the first publication to report on the drones' journey to Russia.
The introduction of Iranian drones-which can also be used for surveillance-could have a big influence on the battlefield as Russia seeks to lessen the effectiveness of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that the US and its allies have given to Ukraine. The HIMARS' 49-mile range has allowed Ukraine to hit targets that are concealed behind Russian front lines.
However, some of the drones Russia purchased from Iran reportedly experienced several faults when tested, making it unclear how significant a game-changer they will be for the Russians when used, according to US intelligence officials.
Iran Willing To Supply UAV To Russia
Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor for the United States, told reporters in July that Iran is willing to provide Russia with up to several hundred drones, according to information obtained by the United States.
The Biden administration released satellite photographs last month, revealing that Russian officials visited Kashan Airfield on June 8 and July 5 to view the Iranian drones.
Iran's foreign minister, Hossein-Amir Abdollahian, declared last month that Teheran and Moscow had "different sorts of partnership," including in the "defense industry."
Ukraine said on Monday that it has breached enemy defenses many times close to the southern city of Kherson as it began a new fight to retake territory, as reported by Reuters.
Mykolaiv, a port city, was bombarded by Russia, and Moscow claimed Kyiv's counteroffensive had failed.
Due to the economic penalties and limitations imposed on it as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War, Moscow is looking to Iran as a crucial partner and supplier of weapons.
Russian jets were modified with UAV gear at an Iranian airfield this month before being sent to Russia, according to officials.
US Raises Concern on the Situation
There was "no update" from the government on whether the drones had been delivered, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby earlier on Monday told reporters, per ABC News.
He went on to say that the US has "seen nothing that gives us a sense of comfort" and that the purchase and delivery are still imminent.
The Biden administration has expressed cautious confidence about a potential compromise to restart the Iran nuclear deal when the news of the drone shipments broke.
The deal's critics assert that a new agreement would lead to Iran's removal from sanctions and, therefore, a cash bonanza that might support Iran's nefarious operations in the region and elsewhere.
