It is thought that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of the most powerful paramilitary organizations in the Middle East, is working in Russian-annexed Crimea.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is on the ground in Crimea, backing Russian drone assaults against Ukraine, according to British and American intelligence.
John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council of the United States, stated that Iran has dispatched personnel to assist Vladimir Putin’s troops in launching Iranian-made drones against Ukraine’s power stations and other critical infrastructure.
According to UK official reports, this includes personnel of a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of the most powerful paramilitary organizations in the Middle East.
The intelligence revelation comes at a time when US President Joe Biden is attempting to increase international pressure on Tehran to stop aiding Russia.
In recent days, Moscow has increasingly employed Iranian-supplied drones and its own Kalibr and Iskander cruise missiles to attack Ukrainian infrastructure and nonmilitary targets.
Since October 10, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian forces have damaged 30 percent of Ukraine’s power stations.
“According to the information we have, the Iranians have placed trainers and technical support in Crimea, but the Russians are flying the aircraft,” Mr. Kirby said.
He added that the Biden administration was considering fresh sanctions against Tehran and would seek measures to make it more difficult for Iran to export these weapons to Russia.
In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea as part of Ukraine, in violation of international law.
The United States confirmed for the first time this summer that Russia had purchased Iranian unmanned aerial drones for use against Ukraine, a claim Iran has rejected.
According to White House officials, international restrictions, including export controls, have made it impossible for the Russians to replenish depleted stores of ammunition and precision-guided munitions during the nearly eight-month-old conflict.
As a result, Russia has been obliged to acquire weapons from Iran and North Korea.
Officials from the United States believe Iran may have deployed military troops to aid the Russians, in part due to the Russians’ unfamiliarity with Iranian-made drones.
Soon after receiving the drones in August, the Russians had technical issues with them, according to declassified intelligence reports from the United States.
The Biden administration released the details about Iran’s involvement in Russia’s war at a delicate time, just days after new sanctions were imposed against Iran for the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was 22 years old and died in Iranian security custody.
Last month, Amini was imprisoned by morality police for not wearing the required Islamic headscarf, often known as the hijab, for Iranian women. Three days after collapsing at the police station, Amini passed away.
Additionally, the United Kingdom has imposed new penalties against Iranian officials and companies accused of supplying drones.
Foreign Minister James Cleverly stated, “These cowardly drone strikes are a desperate deed. By allowing these strikes, these individuals and a manufacturer have inflicted unimaginable pain on the Ukrainian people.
We will ensure they are held responsible for their acts.
‘Large-scale calamity’
Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy is concerned that the Russians may strike the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.
And he urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent a catastrophe.
In his nightly speech to the country, he stated, “According to our intelligence, the aggregates and dam of the Kakhovka HPP were mined by Russian terrorists.”
Everyone in the world must now act forcefully and swiftly to avoid a fresh terrorist assault by Russia. Destruction of the dam would result in a catastrophic event.”
