Russia will be able to use Iranian missiles to strike Ukrainian targets close to front lines – UK intelligence
The supply of Iranian ballistic missiles will enhance Russia’s ability to carry out precision strikes on Ukrainian military and civilian targets close to front lines.
Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on Ukraine on 13 September 2024
Details: UK Defence Intelligence addressed the fact that Iran has recently delivered Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles to Russia.
"First publicly displayed in 2020, the Iranian Fath-360 (also known as the BM-120) can deliver a 150kg warhead to a range of 120 km with a claimed accuracy of less than 30 metres. It can be deployed on a variety of road-mobile launchers including one capable of launching up to six missiles," the UK Defence Intelligence report reads.
The supply of Iranian ballistic missiles will "supplement and enhance" Russia’s ability to carry out high-precision strikes against Ukrainian military or civilian infrastructure targets close to front lines, "whilst also enabling Russia to preserve more of its longer-range capabilities for use against targets deeper inside Ukraine".
Iranian military aid to Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine has so far included the supply of hundreds of one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artillery munitions and extensive support to Russian domestic production of UAVs.
"The supply of ballistic missiles represents a further deepening of Iran's and Russia's military relationship," the UK Defence Intelligence report warns.
Background:
- On 12 September, it was reported that Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has submitted a proposal to member states to impose sanctions on Iran over its supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.
- On 10 September, the UK announced it would impose new sanctions on Iran over its supply of ballistic missiles to Russia. The US Department of Treasury had also announced new sanctions against Iran over the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.
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