Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Iranian Drones Powering Russia's Ukraine War
Iran has been helping Russia make and use special drones called Shahed-136, which Russia calls Geran-2.
These drones can carry explosives and are used to attack places in Ukraine.
Russia is learning to make these drones themselves with Iran's help.
The drones are cheaper than missiles and can be used in large numbers to attack important buildings and scare people.
The United Nations says using these drones against civilians is a very bad thing.
Iran is making money from this deal, and Russia is using the drones to help in the war.
Ukraine is also making drones and trying to stop the Russian drones.
Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed-136 drones, now produced in Russia as Geran-2.
Russia is learning to make and improve these drones with Iran's help.
The drones can carry 90 to 110 pounds of explosives and are used to attack Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.
The United Nations has called Russia's use of these drones against civilians a crime against humanity and a war crime.
Iran is earning between $1 billion and $1.75 billion from the deal, and Russia is using the drones to preserve its expensive missiles for important targets.
- Who
- Russia and Iran
- What
- Iranian drones being used and produced by Russia for attacks in Ukraine
- When
- Since early 2022
- Where
- Ukraine, Russia, Iran
- Why
- To target Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians, and to preserve Russia's expensive missiles
- Drone Model
- Geran-2 (Shahed-136)
- Explosive Capacity
- 90 to 110 pounds
- Production Location
- Tatarstan, Russia
- Iran's Earnings
- $1 billion to $1.75 billion
- UN Findings
- Crime against humanity and war crime
- Ukraine's Daily Drone Production
- 1,000 drones
- Russia's Future Production
- 1,000 drone units a day