Russia’s drone pipeline: How Iran helps Moscow produce an ever-evolving unmanned fleet

Ukraine has warned that Russia could soon be pumping out 1,000 drones a day. Iranian technology has driven that growth.

By: Amy McAuliffe, University of Notre Dame, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 28, 2026

Words: 1,319

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Amy McAuliffe, University of Notre Dame

With Russian ground troops bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, Moscow is striving to press home its advantage in the skies – through an ever-evolving army of drones, courtesy of Iran.

In early January, wreckage of a drone found in Ukraine hinted at a new high-speed model of drone being deployed by Russia in the conflict. It prompted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to air …

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