Putin’s dirty deal with Iran exposed

The Kremlin flew €140million and a selection of captured British and US weapons to Iran in exchange for dozens of deadly Shahed-136 suicide drones, according to Sky News. A Russian aircraft secretly transported the cash and 2 models of munition – a British NLAW anti-tank missile, a US Javelin anti-tank missile & a Stinger anti-aircraft missile – to an airport in Tehran in the early hours of 20 August, the source said speaking anonymously. The weapons had been part of a shipment of UK and US military equipment intended for the Ukrainian military that “fell into Russian hands”, according to the source. The source said they could give Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) the ability to study Western technology and potentially copy it. “They will probably be reverse-engineered and used in future wars,” the source added. In return, Iran supplied Russia with more than 160 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including 100 Shahed-136 drones, the source claimed. These have been nicknamed “suicide drones” because the GPS-guided loitering munitions explode on impact.FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES… Putin’s dirty deal with Iran exposed – captured British missile handed over (Image: GETTY) 4 mins ago07:33 Tara FairUkraine has evidence that Russia is using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones as part of its attack – although Iran has denied sending drones to Kremlin forces.The first use of the drones against Ukraine was recorded on September 13, targeting civilian infrastructure including homes, playgrounds, bridges and schools.The Shahed-136 drones (kamikaze drones) are small aerial weapons, also known as loitering munitions, which are destroyed after striking the target.Unlike other drones – which are supposed to return home after dropping missiles – kamikaze drones are disposable.The name derives from the Japanese pilots who volunteered to crash their planes in suicide missions in World War Two. A Shahed-136 drone flying over Ukraine (Image: AFP) 21 mins ago07:16 Tara FairGood morning from London. I’m Tara Fair, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the Ukraine war. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.Email: Tara.fair@reachplc.comTwitter: @TaraFair_