Iran has handed over a batch of long-range combat drones (UAVs) to Russia in 2022, The Guardian writes, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, the deal between Moscow and Tehran was agreed in November. Then the Russian delegation agreed on the delivery of six drones Mohajer-6, as well as 12 drones Shahed 191 and 129. In contrast to the kamikaze drones that Iran had previously supplied to Russia, these UAVs are designed for repeated use - after a strike they return to the base.

The newspaper specifies that Russia is interested in supplying more advanced drones because the Armed Forces have learned to shoot down Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, which in Russia are renamed to Geran-1 and Geran-2.

The newspaper's source specified that the drones were delivered to Russia by two routes - some of them were sent by an Iranian ship, which transferred the cargo to a Russian Navy ship in the Caspian Sea. The rest were delivered by the Iranian state airline. It is noted that along with the drones Iran sent a group of 54 instructors who helped the Russian military master the drones.

The Guardian also reports that the UAVs supplied to Russia were produced at the same plant in Isfahan that was attacked in late January. This, according to the newspaper, calls into question future deliveries of drones to Russia because the factory may have been badly damaged in the attack.