Ukraine and its allies join forces to halt supply of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia

Ukraine and its partners are taking broad measures to avert an agreement between Russia and Iran on ballistic missile supply to Moscow, says Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence spokesperson.

The intelligence official said in a comment to Ukrinform that the "threat" of the agreement was likely after the UN's "Iran resolution" expired. 

"Such a threat exists. Of course, Ukraine and our partners are monitoring these processes. We are taking certain measures to prevent this step from happening," said Yurov.

The Institute for the Study of War has suggested that Iran may agree to supply ballistic missiles to Russia after the UN Security Council resolution expires on October 18. The UN banned Iran from transferring, importing, and exporting any arms.

"Senior Iranian and Russian military officials reviewed Iranian advanced conventional weapons in Moscow and Tehran in August and September 2023, and may conclude a drone and missile sale agreement," the analysts' report said.

Earlier, the Israeli intelligence director David Barnea said that Iran planned to transfer short and long-range missiles to Russia in addition to drones.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Iran's stand at a military exhibition in Moscow in August. Iranian officials then showed him various Iranian missile systems, including the Zolfaghar — 700-km-range missiles.

On September 19, Shoigu visited Tehran to discuss strengthening bilateral defense and military cooperation with Iran.

The mass media already reported almost a year ago that Iran was ready to hand over not only drones but also surface-to-surface missiles to Russia for waging war in Ukraine.

Later, in December of last year, the Ukrainian intel spokesperson Andrii Yurov said that Iran refrained from supplying missiles to Russia because of the potential international response.