According to a U.S. intelligence finding released by the White House, Iran is reportedly supplying Russia with materials to establish a drone manufacturing facility near Moscow in order to secure a consistent supply of weaponry for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated that U.S. intelligence officials believe the plant, located in Russia’s Alabuga special economic zone, could become operational in early 2024.

The White House also shared satellite imagery from April, which indicates the industrial site several hundred miles east of Moscow as the probable location for the construction of the plant, the Associated Press has reported.

In December, the Biden administration publicly expressed its belief that Tehran and Moscow were considering setting up a drone assembly line in Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.

The latest intelligence suggests that the project, located in the Yelabuga region of Tatarstan, has progressed beyond the initial planning stages.

While Iran claims to have provided drones to Russia before the war in Ukraine, they have stated that no such assistance has been provided since then.

Written by staff