Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia helped Iran refine its Shahed drone technology, which has since been used in attacks against Israel. In an interview, Zelensky described Ukraine as a "testing ground" where Russia first deployed and developed these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its full-scale invasion.
Zelensky's warning highlights the transfer of combat-tested technology, suggesting the drones used by Iranian-backed forces in the Middle East have been improved based on Russian battlefield experience. The Shahed-136, a long-range loitering munition, has been a staple of Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure since 2022.
Analysts and international reports have long documented military cooperation between Iran and Russia, including Iran's supply of Shahed drones to Moscow. Recent conflicts have seen similar drones deployed from Yemen by Houthi forces and used in direct Iranian attacks on Israel, demonstrating the proliferation of the technology.
The Ukrainian leader framed this as a global security issue, stating the threat now faced by Israel and regional allies was "honed" through the war in Ukraine. He called for continued international support to counter such shared threats.
