Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones to use against the United States and Israel, according to an interview excerpt aired on Saturday.
Zelenskiy’s remarks to CNN
Zelenskiy told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that it is “100% facts” that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack U.S. bases.
Shahed drones and regional attacks
Shahed drones have been linked to other attacks on countries in the region, although their manufacturers are not always clear.
Origins and use in Ukraine
Iran pioneered the Shahed drone as a cheaper alternative to missiles. The drones first saw mass use in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where thousands have been launched by Russian forces since fall 2022, according to the Ukrainians.
Manufacturing and adoption
Although Iran initially provided the drones, Russia now manufactures its own Shaheds. The armed forces of other countries have since adopted Shahed-type drones, including the U.S. military, which has said they are part of the current campaign against Iran.
What impact could wider adoption of Shahed-type drones have on regional security?
