Russia is bombarding Ukraine’s power grid and energy supply with drones and missiles. The aim of Vladimir Putin’s (70) strategy is to bring the country to its knees in winter. Due to the damaged infrastructure, the population in many places has no water or electricity and the heating remains cold. The drones that cause such damage are taken from Iran by Russia. However, the West is also indirectly involved.
Although the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has warned in the past that Russia could run out of high-precision weapons, shooting continues just before winter. Instead of using precise missiles, the Russians attack with swarms of kamikaze drones. As the “Spiegel” writes, the drone models used were further analyzed by experts.
The organization Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a British group of experts, has specialized in tracking arms shipments and investigated the drones in Ukraine. Although Tehran and Moscow disputed an arms deal for months, the Iranian government finally acknowledged that it had sent arms to Russia before the war. But that’s only half the truth. When analyzing the individual parts, the experts discovered that drones were also sent to Russia in May and even later, recognizable by the production dates. What also stood out: The assembled parts do not come from Iran, but partly from America, Asia and Europe.
Loose parts come from America
The type designations of the Western components indicate that they were only produced in the last few years – so 2020 to 2021. But just in those years Iran was already sanctioned by the West to prevent the regime from acquiring Western weapons. Nevertheless, the parts ended up in Iran. “82 percent of these components were manufactured in the US,” the CAR writes in its report. The engines of the Shahed 136 and the Mohajer 6 would come from Austria.
The wiring in particular stands out and also indicates that the drones come from Iran. These are similar to the drones found in the Middle East. Only one thing is different: the drones in Ukraine have been modernized. Apparently Iran could learn a thing or two from the West when it comes to weapons technology.
Despite sanctions, Iran could rely on Western technology
In 2015, the UN passed Resolution 2231 with the aim of halting Iran’s nuclear program and preventing the further development of weapons such as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Despite the sanctions, the mullahs’ regime was able to further develop the weapons.
The trick: instead of military technology, civilian technology from the West was installed, which is not subject to sales or export controls. This may make the drones less accurate, but the war in Ukraine shows that cheap drones are enough for Russia to wreak havoc. The West responds with new sanctions against Iran. Apparently without effect. Iran’s nuclear program is also continuing. Iran announced it had begun production of up to 60 percent enriched uranium at the Fordo plant. Uranium enriched to about 90 percent is needed to build nuclear bombs.
France, Germany, Britain and the US expressed concern, saying there was “no credible civilian justification” for expanding Iran’s nuclear program. (jwg)