Intelligence officials revealed that Russia is assisting Iran by providing advanced drone tactics, as Tehran continues targeting American positions and sites in Gulf countries.
CNN reported on Wednesday, citing a source, that Russia developed significant expertise in this field during its war with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Iran has achieved unexpected success in penetrating air defence systems in several Arab Gulf states.
According to the network, this development marks the first time it has been confirmed that Russia is offering Iran specific tactical advice rather than general assistance or basic information about target locations.
This indicates that Russian support has moved beyond the stage where US officials previously said Moscow was providing general help through satellite imagery and target intelligence, to a more advanced and potentially dangerous level.
Some Iranian drones have already succeeded in breaching complex air defence systems. Iran previously supplied Russia with Shahed drones for use in its war against Ukraine, and what is happening now appears to represent a form of “returning the favour” by Moscow, according to the same source.
A Western intelligence official told CNN that what was once general support has now become more concerning, as it includes targeting strategies that Russia used during its war in Ukraine.
The official did not specify the exact nature of these strategies. However, the report noted that Russia has used tactics during the Ukraine war that rely on launching hundreds of drones in coordinated swarms and successive waves. On some nights, Ukraine has faced attacks involving nearly one thousand drones launched simultaneously.
These drones often move in large groups that appear to follow a single path before suddenly changing direction. On radar, they can display unusual circular movements designed specifically to evade air defence systems.
The report also noted that Ukrainian forces have continually adapted to these tactics. They have even shared their experience with Jordan and other Gulf states, including offering experts, technology, or small drones produced using 3D printing.
These small drones cost approximately two thousand dollars and can be used to intercept larger Shahed drones, which cost around fifty thousand dollars each.
According to the report, Russia could transfer the expertise it gained over nearly three years of fighting in Ukraine to Iran within a period that may be as short as ten days, helping Tehran improve its ability to penetrate air defence systems.
In the same context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he is aware Russia is assisting Iran in the field of drones. He also indicated that Ukraine has offered to send experts to support countries affected by such attacks.
This development reflects the widening and escalation of the war in ways that may have been difficult to anticipate just eleven or twelve days ago. The report suggests that Moscow may seek to impose a form of retaliation after the United States publicly provided intelligence and weapons to Ukraine to help resist the Russian invasion.
