Iran becomes Russia’s top military backer in Ukraine war 

On December 10, the UK Ministry of Defence shared on Twitter its latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.

Defence intelligence emphasises that Iran has become one of Russia's top military backers since Russia invaded Ukraine. Military officials consider that Iran’s support to the Russian military is likely to grow in the coming months as Russia is attempting to obtain more weapons, including hundreds of ballistic missiles.

In return Russia is highly likely offering Iran an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their defence relationship, UK Ministry of Defence says.

“Russia has highly likely expended a large proportion of its stock of its own SS-26 Iskander short range ballistic missiles, which carry a 500 kg warhead up to 500 km. If Russia succeeds in bringing a large number of Iranian ballistic missiles into service, it will likely use them to continue and expand its campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure,” the statement says.

On December 9, Biden administration officials said Russia may be providing Iran with advanced military equipment and components, including helicopters, air defence systems and fighter jets.