LONDON: Russia’s partnership with Iran has strengthened recently, accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, British military intelligence reported.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence’s war intelligence update, Russia, faced with international isolation, is compelled to pivot its foreign policy efforts toward partnerships that were previously considered less desirable in order to secure diplomatic, economic, and military support.
The report reveals that Iranian military aid to Russia’s campaign in Ukraine includes the provision of hundreds of one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and artillery munitions, with Iranian OWA UAVs playing a crucial role in Russia’s long-range strikes in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the partnership has expanded to encompass the assembly and production of these UAVs under license in a Russian facility, marking an additional level of collaboration. Russo-Iranian diplomatic and economic ties have deepened as a result.
The British intelligence report emphasizes that Russia’s engagement with Iran in multinational forums is likely to increase, especially following Iran’s recent admission into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its invitation to join the economic BRICS forum.
Notably, Iran claims that Russia invested USD $2.76 billion in the country during 2022-2023, indicating a significant economic dimension to their collaboration. The report predicts that economic ties will continue to strengthen as Russia endeavors to mitigate the impact of sanctions.
