According to US officials, there were reports that Iran was considering supplying Russia with several hundred unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Shahed-129 attack aircraft, with potential transfer to separatist groups in Donbass in the future. The claim was aired by a US national security adviser in an interview with CNN.
Television coverage by TF1 highlighted the possibility that the Shahed-129 could fall into the hands of the Donetsk and Luhansk formations. Iran has developed and refined eight different combat drone variants, with the Shahed-129 regarded as one of the most capable. The drone has gained battlefield experience in Syria and Iraq and is equipped with Sadid-345 high-precision fragmentation warheads and Sadid-1 anti-tank missiles.
Military experts noted that while there is no publicly available data confirming any such agreement, and it would not be advertised if it existed, the possibility cannot be completely ruled out. Analysts stressed the uncertainties surrounding any potential deliveries and the timing involved.
There is a prevalent belief that the Shahed-129 bears similarities to earlier American MQ-1 Predator and Israeli Hermes 450 designs, with similarities in both appearance and functionality. In the latest configuration, the Shahed-129 measures about 8 meters in length, has a wingspan of 16 meters, and carries a 400-kilogram payload. Its stated maximum speed is around 150 kilometers per hour, endurance reaches about 24 hours, and its combat radius is approximately 170 kilometers.
If these drones were supplied, analysts predicted they would likely be assigned to the forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Militia. The equipment currently available to the militia has been primarily for reconnaissance and lighter strikes. The deployment of longer-range attack drones could alter the balance on the front lines by increasing striking power and accuracy. The Russian armed forces have typically relied on domestic platforms for greater interoperability, with imports playing a smaller role under current procurement standards and emphasis on component interchangeability. Some observers believe the Inohodets assault UAV could remain competitive on the world stage.
At the same time, experts noted that Russia does not depend solely on Iranian drones. The Pacer UAV, also known as Orion-10, has been used in operations and demonstrates capabilities that parallel those of the Shahed-129, including a substantial combat radius and solid payload capacity. The latest assessments point to a broader shift toward domestically produced equipment and weapons, driven by defense ministry standards and the need for reliable cross-platform interoperability.
A military analyst and reservist captain of the first rank echoed this view, arguing that the LPR and DPR could benefit from adaptable systems and partnerships with friendly countries, possibly including Iran, during ongoing operations in Ukraine. He suggested that Iranian-made offensive drones could significantly enhance the offensive potential of Russian forces and the Donbass militias, regardless of who retains the aircraft. What matters more is the ability to field a larger number of capable attack aircraft to challenge enemy equipment and weapons on the battlefield.
The analyst further noted that such capabilities are not only technically feasible but also politically advantageous. A multipolar world would witness a shift in how power is projected, with Ukraine becoming a stage where strategic competition unfolds between the United States and Iran. The prediction was that Iranian drones could threaten American HIMARS and other Western systems, potentially reshaping tactical calculations on the ground.
In closing, observers emphasized that while these possibilities are debated, the balance of factors on the ground hinges on production capability, supply chains, and the evolving strategic calculus of all parties involved. The discussion remains part of a broader assessment of how modern unmanned systems influence the dynamics of contemporary warfare, regional power, and international responses.