In addition to attack drones, Iran has also sent military advisers to occupied Ukrainian territory to help the Russians, the New York Times reports. The news is an additional signal that Tehran is stepping up military support for Moscow.

According to US intelligence, the suspects are members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards unit. They would train Russian soldiers on how to use the drones at a military base in Crimea. These Iranian-made unmanned flying bombs are a growing problem, according to Ukraine.

As far as is known, the Iranian advisors are not directly involved in combat operations. It is unclear how many members of the Guards, which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization, will be active in Crimea.

“More missiles and drones ordered”

In addition, the regime in Tehran is said to have already agreed with Moscow to deliver more missiles and drones to Russia. Reuters reported this yesterday based on four anonymous Iranian officials. “The Russians have asked for more drones and Iranian ballistic missiles with improved accuracy,” said one such diplomat.

All in all, according to defense expert William Alberque, it is clear that Iran is becoming more and more involved indirectly in the war in Ukraine. He is Director of Strategy, Technology and Weapons at the IISS think tank in London. “Supplying advanced missiles, attack drones and now apparently drone advisors too: wow. Iran really votes double.”

Iran was also expected to provide “drone trainers” to Russia. NATO also trains Ukrainian military personnel in war material control.

wave of protests in their own country

Alberque finds the timing of Iran’s military support for Russia particularly striking. After all, the regime in Tehran has its hands full with the wave of protests in its own country.

“These demonstrations are being brutally suppressed and at the same time the regime is indirectly helping the Russians to kill civilians in Ukraine.” According to him, it is inevitable that more sanctions will be imposed on Iran. “The regime is shooting itself in the foot.”

Iran expert Erwin van Veen doubts whether those in power in Tehran fear new punitive measures. “Good luck with further sanctions – that will be their response. The current sanctions are already so far-reaching that they affect almost every industry.”

‘points’

He believes that aid to Russia is primarily a way to score points in the Kremlin. Tehran and Moscow are important allies, although, according to Van Veen, they also live at odds. “If Russia loses the war or collapses, it would be bad news for Iran.” Therefore, a cooperation is obvious.

Signs of increasing military cooperation between Russia and Iran are bad news for Ukraine. According to Kyiv, Iran-made drones have wreaked havoc in Ukrainian cities in recent days. For example, they hit civilian targets and power plants.

In addition to anti-aircraft guns, these drones were also tested with firearms:

Although there are numerous videos and photos of the so-called kamikazedrons in Ukraine, Tehran continues to deny having supplied them. The US has already imposed further sanctions: According to Washington, it is clear that Iran sold the drones to Russia. The EU is examining the evidence and is not ruling out additional sanctions if Iran’s involvement is found.

The Kremlin claims it only uses home-made drones. Experts believe that Russia renamed Iran’s Shahed 136 drones to Geran 2 to hide the fact that they were made by Iran. The name Geran 2 was also found on debris from crashed kamikazedrons.

West can do little

The EU is planning sanctions against eight Iranians for delivering drones, Reuters reported today, citing anonymous diplomats. But apart from additional punitive measures, Alberque says there is little the West can do to prevent the shipment of Iranian equipment.

In theory, such weapons could be intercepted if the delivery violated international rules or sanctions. “But Iran will choose a route that will make that impossible,” Alberque said. “So it’s going to be very difficult to hold back.”

NATO will send special equipment to Ukraine to fight kamikazedrons. This varies from anti-aircraft systems to jammers. In this way, the Ukrainian army will have the opportunity to better protect the country.