Russia has exhausted its stockpile of Iranian suicide drones, forcing the country to seek more to sustain aerial attacks inside Ukraine, a western official revealed recently.
Moscow ran out of the drone two to three weeks ago, the official added, citing their absence in recent aerial bombardments.
Russia bought an estimated 2,400 Iranian drones, including Shahed-136, Shahed-129, Shahed-191, and Qods Mohajer-6, launching them in waves over two months.
However, the deal included the transfer of technology, enabling Russia to produce the drone on its own, the official explained.
Missile Stocks for Three More Strikes
Senior Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told The Guardian that Russia is also running low on cruise missiles, with enough left to sustain “two or three” more mass strikes.
To replenish their stocks, Russian security council secretary Nikolai Patrushev visited Tehran last month. However, the Ukrainian official added that the deal has not gone through.
Missile Deal: No Breakthrough Yet
“Iran has come under huge diplomatic pressure and the protests have also raised pressure on the government,” Podolyak told The Guardian.
“The government is starting to lose its grip on Iranian society and their inner domestic problems are growing. That’s why they just don’t have time for dealing with Russia. It’s not their priority.”
Podolyak said that the talks are still underway, with Russian efforts to sweeten the deal.