Kyiv is reportedly asking Western allies for long-range weapons to hit kamikaze drone production facilities in Iran and Syria, as well as a possible future facility in Russia, after finding extensive use of Western components in drones striking Ukraine.
A Guardian report on Wednesday says that it has obtained a copy of a 47-page confidential document, shared with Western allies by Ukraine in August, that has identified the widespread use of components acquired from European and other Western companies in Iranian-produced drones.
The document reportedly details the use of over 600 Iranian Shahed 131 and 136 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the previous three months. Examination of the remains of these UAVs has reportedly identified that 52 electrical components manufactured by Western companies were found in the Shahed-131 drone and 57 in the Shahed-136.
The report says that these components originate from manufacturers within countries that ostensibly are part of the “sanctions coalition” against Russia including the US, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Poland.
While Ukraine does not suggest any wrongdoing on the part of Western companies it notes that “Iranian UAV production has adapted and mostly uses available commercial components, the supply of which is poorly controlled or not controlled at all.” Ukraine has suggested in the past that sanctions on such material should also be imposed on Iran.
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Ukrainian intelligence agencies believe that Iran has already diversified its production to factories in Syria and is developing a facility in the central Russian region of Yelabuga; an assertion that had been confirmed by the ISW in June.
It is also claimed that Tehran is currently continuing to supply the components but the Iranian government is trying to “disassociate itself from providing Russia with weapons” as it “cannot cope with Russian demand and the intensity of use in Ukraine.”
As part of its conclusions to the document, the Kyiv government makes a plea for Western allies to provide Ukraine with the capability to carry out, “missile strikes on the production plants of these UAVs in Iran, Syria, as well as on the potential production site in the Russian Federation.”
It goes on to say that this would only be made possible if its partners provided the necessary means of carrying out the destruction, the Guardian reported.
In light of the continuing reluctance to provide Kyiv with weapons that could even theoretically strike Russian territory, it seems improbable that the request will be met.
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Comments (4)
Why publish such an article?
Nazi ukraine should be careful with what they're saying. The Iranians will kill zelensky and bomb every corner of the failed state if even a small missile is launched against them.
@Anti-vassal, We’ll said Vlad.
It’s time for Ukraine to launch attacks on Iranian assets and factories in Iran.
Such payback could include oil tankers carrying Iranian oil.
Iran must not get the idea that it’s immoral self interested actions will never attract penalties
@David, One war at a time.
Its fair play on anyone harming Ukrainians. Americans wouldnt stand for their cities being bombed. They would turn the factories making such drones to rubble.
@John, Meaning Russia can attack the countries supplying weapons to Ukraine too.
@Gancapon, Sorry, there is no equivalent right for Russia, since Russia has no justification for invading a sovereign state in direct violation of the UN Charter. Russia is a disgrace to itself and the basis of its membership of the UN.
The penalties on delinquent veto power holders should be more severe.
Its expulsion from the UN should be the next step.
@David, I 100% agree with you. How can the terrorists be allowed to vote let alone VETO any resolution about Ukraine when it was #russiaTerroristState that started this unprovoked, illegal war.
@Joseph King,
@lies,