Russia is helping Iran refine the use of its drones by sharing battlefield tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, according to a Western intelligence official cited in an exclusive report by CNN.
The official said Moscow is providing Tehran with more advanced guidance on how to deploy unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including targeting strategies that Russia has used against Ukraine. The assistance is believed to focus on improving the effectiveness of Iran’s drone operations against targets linked to the United States and Gulf nations in the Middle East.
Iran-designed Shahed drones, which Russia has mass-produced for its war in Ukraine, have played a central role in these developments. These loitering munitions, often referred to as “kamikaze drones”, are designed to fly toward a target and detonate on impact.
According to the intelligence official, the Shahed drones have been unexpectedly successful in penetrating the air defence systems of Gulf countries. Their effectiveness has drawn attention to the evolving tactical cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
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The source indicated that Russian support for Iran has moved beyond earlier forms of assistance. Previously reported cooperation had largely involved general intelligence sharing and support with targeting. However, the latest intelligence suggests a deeper level of tactical advice.
“What was more general support is now getting more concerning, including UAS targeting strategies that Russia employed in Ukraine,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence, as per CNN.
The official declined to disclose the precise tactical guidance being shared. However, Russia’s use of Shahed drones in Ukraine has involved launching the drones in coordinated waves. Multiple drones are sent simultaneously and often change course during flight, a method that can complicate efforts by air defence systems to track and intercept them.
Such tactics are designed to overwhelm or evade defensive systems by presenting multiple incoming threats at once.
The reported intelligence sharing highlights the growing military cooperation between Russia and Iran amid ongoing conflicts in different regions.
CNN said it has approached the Kremlin for comment on the report, but there has been no immediate response.
The development suggests that combat experience gained in Ukraine may be shaping drone warfare strategies beyond the European battlefield, with potential implications for security dynamics in the Middle East.
