Zelenskyy: First Shahed drones over Ukraine were operated by Iran
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Iranian operators trained the Russians to use Shahed drones in wartime conditions. They were the ones who launched the first such drones against Ukraine, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Iranian President Nicușor Dan.
The President was asked whether Ukraine might face a new front and become an enemy of Iran, since it has agreed to help Middle East countries defend against Iranian attacks.
In response, Zelenskyy emphasized that Iran has long been an ally of Russia, which is no news. Specifically, Tehran supplied Russia with around 150,000 artillery shells and missiles.
"We know how the first Shaheds were launched. There were no Russian operators; the operators were from another country, the country the Shaheds came from, because they (the Russian operators - ed.) needed to be trained. They trained them in a real war," Zelenskyy added.
He noted that the Iranians are allies of Russia both on paper and in practice.
Commenting on Romania’s decision to allow the US to use its military bases as a hub, Zelenskyy said that any additional US forces strengthen the country.
Suspicion against Iranian general
Recently, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced charges in absentia against the head of Iran’s Aerospace Force, General Abdollah Mehrabi, for assisting Russia in conducting an aggressive war.
The investigation found that in 2022–2023, he organized mass shipments of MD 550 engines for Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.
Additionally, in January 2023, Mehrabi personally visited Yelabuga in Russia, where he helped launch the production facility for Geran-2 drones.
