Russia is reportedly close to completing shipments of modified Shahed-type drones to Iran, according to Western intelligence cited by the Financial Times, a striking reversal in the wartime drone relationship between Moscow and Tehran.
The transfers began in early March 2026 and are expected to be completed by the end of the month, the FT reported. The package also includes food and medicine, but the drones are the most consequential element.
If confirmed, the move would be one of the clearest signs yet that Russia is prepared to provide direct lethal support to Iran as Tehran faces mounting military pressure in its confrontation with the United States and Israel.
An upgraded system, returned to sender
The drones are described as Geran systems, Russian-produced variants of the Iranian-designed Shahed-136, a one-way attack drone that Tehran originally supplied to Moscow for use in Ukraine. After more than two years of large-scale battlefield use and domestic production at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, Russia is now believed to be sending back improved versions incorporating wartime modifications, potentially including upgraded engines, better navigation, and greater resistance to electronic warfare.
The same report says Iran has also sought additional Russian air-defense support. Western officials cited by the FT said Moscow agreed in late 2025 to provide Verba man-portable air-defense systems and missiles, but rejected Iranian requests for the more capable S-400, reportedly due to escalation concerns and the complexity of such a transfer.
Kremlin dismisses reports as “a lot of lies”
What began with Iran supplying loitering munitions to Russia may now be coming full circle, with Moscow re-exporting upgraded variants of the same system back to its supplier.
The report is consistent with recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said on March 15, 2026, that Russia was supplying Iran with Shahed drones, and providing Tehran with intelligence support.
The Kremlin denied the report, dismissing coverage as “a lot of lies” and urging people to disregard such claims.