Russia-Ukraine war: Iran confirms drone sales to Russia, but says sale was 'months' before invasion

Iran has come under more intense scrutiny over its alleged involvement in the war with Ukraine, accusing Tehran of supplying Russia with drones. For the first time, Iran has confirmed selling drones to Russia but clarified that the drone sales took place months before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told reporters Saturday following an event that the drone sales were true but added that the sales of drones to Russia took place months before it invaded Ukraine on February 24. Amirabdollahian also said that the allegation by Western officials that Iran was sending missiles to Russia was not true.

“Their comments on the missiles part are completely wrong, and the drones part is correct. We gave a limited number of drones to Russia months and before the war in Ukraine,” said Amirabdollahian.

Iranian officials previously said that Tehran has a “defense cooperation” with Russia but did not supply the Kremlin with arms that would be used on the ground in Ukraine by its troops. Amirabdollahian reiterated that Iran does not support either side in the war but added that Tehran is ready to engage with Kyiv.

“We have emphasized to Ukrainian officials that if there is evidence about the use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war by Russia, they should present it to us,” said Amirabdollahian.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Iranian officials of lying despite the confirmation of the drone sales. Zelenskyy cited that the number of Iranian drones that Ukrainian troops shot down went past the number that Tehran claimed.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to bombard Ukraine with missiles and unmanned drones in an effort to target its energy infrastructure, with Russian-installed officials blaming Ukraine for the power outages the region is experiencing. The Moscow-backed administration in the partially-occupied territory of Kherson claimed that Ukrainian forces targeted three power lines, cutting off water and electricity supplies.

The Russian-held Nova Kakhova dam was damaged by the repeated shelling of Ukrainian forces in what would be part of the gains by Ukrainian troops as they gear up for an offensive to reclaim the southern territories, already advancing through the region.