Ukraine shot down more than a dozen Iranian-produced Shahed-136 drones on Saturday night that Russia hoped would bolster its military, according to Ukrainian military leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, aiming for a quick victory against Kyiv. However, the invasion revealed weaknesses in Moscow’s military, allowing Ukraine to block Russia from achieving substantial victories after nearly eight months of fighting.
The conflict has divided the world, with Western nations including the United States backing Ukraine, providing humanitarian and military aid credited with boosting its defense efforts, allowing the Eastern European nation to retake thousands of square miles of formerly occupied territory. Meanwhile, Russia has found itself as a pariah among Europe amid the conflict.
As Ukraine’s military receives equipment and weapons from its allies, Russia has turned to Iran for support amid mounting losses.
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Russia appeared to lock down a deal with Iran to receive new drones and missiles aimed at blunting Ukraine’s military power. However, 16 of the powerful Shahed-136 drones were shot down by Ukrainian forces on Saturday, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Sixteen unmanned-[kamikaze] ‘Shaed-136’ were shot down,” the general staff wrote in a translated Facebook post. “On the night of October 23, Russian invaders have already “traditionally” attacked the south of the country with striking drones-Kamikaze.”
Eleven of the drones were knocked out in the country’s Mykolaiv region.
The other drones were shot down by other Ukrainian troops, though the general staff did not specify exactly where those drones were sent to attack. Two of the drones managed to “break through” from the south and were destroyed by the eastern and central air command, the general staff said.
Ukraine has said to have destroyed a large number of Russian weapons including 2,584 tanks, 270 aircrafts and 1,667 artillery systems, according to its ministry of defense. The country’s claims could not be independently verified, however.
Iran’s Shahed-136 drones are intended to offset these alleged losses. However, the drones have only a small explosive payload and fly at low altitudes, making them easier targets than other drones. Still, the strikes have been used by Russia to take out some of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which experts have said could boost Russia’s military operation.
More than 200 of the drones were destroyed by Ukrainian troops from September 13 to October 19, Ukraine’s general staff said on Wednesday.
Russia, Iran Agree to New Weapons Deal
In addition to the Shahed-136 drones, Russia is also set to receive missiles as part of a weapons package from Iran. Iran has appeared to agree to send Russia powerful Zolfaghar and Fateh-110 missiles, which could compete with M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) sent to Ukraine by the U.S.
Iranian missiles have some advantages over HIMARS such has having a longer range. HIMARS, however, have better precision. Ukraine has pushed the U.S. to provide stronger weapons, but Russia has said doing so would cross a red line. The Biden administration has been reluctant to provide longer-range missiles such as Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which are capable of striking targets of more than 280 miles away, to Ukraine.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment.
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