Russia is reportedly close to completing shipments of modified Shahed-type drones to Iran, according to Western intelligence cited by the Financial Times, in what would mark a striking reversal in the wartime drone relationship between Moscow and Tehran.
The FT said the transfers began in early March 2026 and were expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The drones are described as Geran systems, Russian-produced variants of the Iranian-designed Shahed-136, a one-way attack drone Tehran originally supplied to Moscow for use in Ukraine. After more than two years of large-scale use and local production in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, Russia is now believed to be sending back improved versions incorporating its own wartime modifications. Those upgrades may include improved engines, better navigation systems, and greater resistance to electronic warfare.
The reported 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 US and Israel.
Iran has also sought additional Russian air-defense support. Western officials cited by the FT said Moscow had agreed in late 2025 to provide Verba man-portable air-defense systems and missiles, but had rejected Iranian requests for the more capable S-400, reportedly out of concern over escalation and the complexity of such a transfer.
A reversal in the drone pipeline
What began with Iran supplying loitering munitions to Russia may now be coming full circle, with Moscow re-exporting upgraded versions of the same basic system back to Iran.
The Kremlin has denied the report, saying media outlets were publishing “a lot of lies” and that people should not pay attention to such claims.
The report also aligns with recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On March 15, 2026, he said Russia was supplying Iran with Shahed drones, and on March 25, 2026, he said Moscow was continuing to provide intelligence support to Tehran.
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