Russia has faced technical problems with military drones it bought from Iran for use in Ukraine

Russia faces technical problems with Iranian-made drones Biden administration officials said it was purchased from Tehran this month for use in the war with Ukraine.

about “Many errors” on the devices, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a U.S. intelligence assessment.

They also pointed out The delivery of Mohajer-6 and Shahed-series UAVs over several days this month may be part of a Russian plan to buy hundreds of Iranian UAVs..

Company AP Last week, Russia said it had recently acquired hundreds of Iranian drones capable of being used in its war against Ukraine, despite warnings from the United States not to send them to Tehran. The The Washington Post For the first time, it was reported that Russia had technical problems with Iranian drones.

Russian operators continue to train in Iran in the use of these systems. Last week, the Persian regime released footage of drone strikes at an undisclosed location.

Officials said the drones could carry out airstrikes, electronic warfare and target fire on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Last month, the Biden administration released satellite images showing that Russian officials visited the Kashan airfield on June 8 and July 5 to observe Iranian drones. At the time, White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan told the administration that “there is information that the Iranian government is preparing to deliver several hundred unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia.”

Facing sanctions and limitations on their supply chains due to their invasion of Ukraine, Russia is turning to Iran as a major partner and arms supplier. UAV equipment was loaded onto a Russian plane at an airfield in Iran for several days this month before the weapons were shipped to Russia.Officials said.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters early Monday that the administration had no update on whether the drones had been delivered. He said that “the US has not seen anything that gives us comfort” and that “acquisition and delivery are still in the works”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein-Amir Abdullahian said last month Tehran has “various forms of cooperation with Russia, including in the defense sector”. He refrained from confirming or denying the drone deployment, though he added that it would not help either side.

Administration officials confirmed details of Iran’s supply of drones to Russia at a time when the White House is also trying to pressure Tehran to comply with the 2015 nuclear deal.

Last week, the administration reviewed Iran’s comments on a European proposal to restart the deal, which was negotiated under President Barack Obama and abandoned in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump.

(With information from AP/By Amar Madani)

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