Amid intensifying Russia-Ukraine war with both countries turning cheap commercial drones into deadly weapons, the United States has warned Russia planning to use ‘ballistic missile received from Iran’ to strike Kyiv.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia has received new shipments of ballistic missiles from Iran enabling the country to intensify the attacks against Ukraine further. Blinken also added that Russia is likely to use the missiles “within weeks” in Ukraine.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it is a troubling action we’re seeing from Iran. He also added that it is a significant escalation and proper action will be taken.
"This development and the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran threatens European security and demonstrates how Iran's destabilising influence reaches far beyond the Middle East," said Blinken.
Blinken and Lammy are preparing to visit Ukraine on Wednesday.
In the wake of the recent events, the UK has imposed new sanctions, adding seven destinations under its Iran sanctions regime. The US also announced that new sanctions will imposed including on Iran Air airline.
France and Germany also issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s export of ballistic missiles to Russia. “This is a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and will see Iranian missiles reaching European soil, increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people. This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia and is a direct threat to European security,” read the statement.
However, Iran has denied providing Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine.
Earlier, Iran in its statement to the UN had said that the provision of military assistance to the parties engaged in the conflict led to increased human casualties, and destruction to be inhumane.
However, US intelligence suggests that alleged transfers are going on between both countries.
Kyiv’s biggest drone attack on Moscow
Meanwhile, in its biggest drone attack since the war, Kyiv struck Moscow killing one and wrecking several homes on Tuesday. Russia claimed that it had destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian attack drones that were targeted at the Moscow region.
In the recent drone attack, three of Moscow's four airports were closed for more than six hours and almost 50 flights were diverted.
"There is no way that nighttime strikes on residential neighbourhoods can be associated with military action," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The drone attacks caused severe damage to the high-rise apartment
buildings in the Ramenskoye district of Moscow. Residents recalled the incident saying they woke up to the sound of windows shattering and heavy noises.
A 46-year-old woman was killed and three people were wounded in Ramenskoye, Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said.