Iranian stocks depleted?: London expects drone shortage in Russia

Whether clinics, residential buildings or energy companies: For months the Russians have been bombarding Ukraine with drones.

Iranian stocks depleted?: London expects drone shortage in Russia

Whether clinics, residential buildings or energy companies: For months the Russians have been bombarding Ukraine with drones. According to the Ministry of Defense in London, there have been no reports of the use of these weapons for ten days. Still, that doesn't have to bode well for the Ukrainians.

According to British intelligence experts, the Russian military has probably used up its stock of Iranian drones. This is likely because there have been no reports of the use of small unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine since February 15, the Ministry of Defense said in London.

However, between late January and early February, the Ukrainian military shot down at least 24 of the Shahed-136 disposable drones. "Russia will probably try to get supplies," it said. "Although the weapons do not have a good record of destroying intended targets, Russia likely sees them as useful in distracting Ukraine's air defenses from much more effective Russian cruise missiles."

However, China could possibly step in for Iran. According to a report by "Spiegel", the Russian military and the Chinese drone manufacturer Xi'an Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology are to negotiate the mass production of attack drones for Russia that could be used in Ukraine.

According to the report, Bingo is said to have agreed to produce, test and deliver 100 prototype ZT-180 drones to the Russian Ministry of Defense by April 2023. According to military experts, the ZT-180 should be able to carry an explosive charge of 35 to 50 kilograms, according to the "Spiegel". In a further step, Bingo is planning to deliver components and know-how to Russia so that its own drone production can be set up there. 100 drones could then be manufactured per month.

According to China, it has no knowledge of talks between Russia and the Chinese company to supply drones. "A lot of misinformation is being spread," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. You have to see who is behind it and be vigilant.