Ukraine says ‘all 13’ Iranian-made drones shot down

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday morning that Ukrainian forces had shot down “all” the Iranian-made drones launched by Russia towards Kyiv. 

Russian forces “started this morning with 13 Shahed drones,” Zelensky said in a video address, referring to the Iranian drones Moscow frequently uses to target key Ukrainian infrastructure as well as civilian areas. 

“According to preliminary information, all 13 drones were shot down by our Ukrainian air defense forces.”

On Saturday, Zelensky said said over 1.5 million people were left without power in the southern port city of Odessa after an overnight Russian attack using Iranian-made drones. 

The European Union on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian experts believed to be linked to supplying Russia with drones. The EU has said it has evidence to prove Iran has been supplying Russia with drones since February when the war in Ukraine began.

“Iran has become Russia’s top military backer,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday, adding that intelligence gathered by Washington shows that Tehran and Moscow have been increasing military collaboration. 

Kirby also cited US intelligence reports to claim that Russia was seeking to provide air defense systems, fighter jets, and helicopters to Iran.

Ukraine has received large amounts of military support and air defenses from its Western allies, making it difficult for Russian warplanes to target the country. Explosive drones have become a cheaper and more efficient weapon for Russia.