(ANSA) - ROME, DECEMBER 24 - On the basis of a contract reached during the summer, Russia has acquired 1,700 Shahed drones from Iran, which are being delivered in several tranches.
This was supported by the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with the New York Times, adding that according to Kiev, so far Russia has fired about 540 drones in tactical attacks along the front line targeting power plants and other infrastructure.
Most drones are shot down before they reach their targets, Budanov said.
According to the intelligence chief, Iran has so far refused to support Russia with ballistic missile transfers and "is not rushing to do so, for understandable reasons. Because as soon as Russia launches the first missiles, the pressure of sanctions will increase" on Tehran.
(HANDLE).