Russians received powerful weapons from Iran, Ukrainians have reason for concern

(Patria) - Iran has sent several hundred ballistic missiles to Russia, writes the Wall Street Journal, citing diplomatic sources, reports Index.hr.

An unnamed American diplomat confirmed that the missiles were "delivered." The delivery reportedly includes several hundred short-range ballistic missiles.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

U.S. officials previously announced that Russia had acquired unmanned aerial vehicles from Iran, as well as other ammunition and weapons from North Korea.

Sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine have diminished Vladimir Putin's ability to replenish depleted weapons stockpiles.

Bloomberg earlier this week reported that European officials expect Iran to deliver ballistic missiles to Russia very soon.

However, Bloomberg's sources declined to provide estimates of the type and quantity of ballistic missiles, nor the timeframe in which they could be sent to Russia.

Ballistic missiles typically fly significantly faster than cruise missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles, making them harder to intercept and destroy. Additionally, they can carry a much larger payload, meaning they can cause far greater damage.

The U.S. and other Western allies have repeatedly warned Tehran not to send ballistic missiles to Moscow.

Russian negotiations to acquire short-range ballistic missiles from Iran began as early as September last year, when then-Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Iran to view Ababil ballistic missiles, CNN reported in January.

In March, the G7 issued a strong joint statement warning that the international community's response would include "new and significant measures against Iran" if the country began sending ballistic missiles to Russia.

Ababil and Fath-360

Reuters reported back in February this year that Russia had already received "at least four shipments of missiles" from Iran. However, to date, there has been no record of Russia firing Iranian ballistic missiles at Ukraine.

Ukrainian cities have been regularly attacked by Iranian-made Shahed drones since October 2022.

Kyiv Independent reported that newer reports mention the possibility of Iran supplying two types of short-range missiles - Ababil and Fath-360, with Russian personnel reportedly already undergoing training in Iran for their use.

The Ababil and Fath-360 have ranges of 86 and 120 kilometers, respectively, limiting the targets Russia could use them against to those relatively close to its borders and the front line.

The news of the alleged delivery of ballistic missiles comes at a time when Russia is intensifying its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, and Ukraine is preparing for major Russian attacks on energy infrastructure this winter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany that Ukraine urgently needs more air defense systems.