Iran secretly supplies 100 million bullets and 300,000 shells to Russia

Sky News reported the information. 

A British security source claims that 2 Russian-flagged ships loaded with 100 million rounds of ammunition and 300,000 shells left an Iranian port in January 2023. Russia received ammunition for MLRS, mortars, and machine guns from Iran. According to the source, Moscow paid for the ammunition in cash to circumvent sanctions.

"Russia continues to use Iran as a 'rear base'," the source said. 

The outlet noted that the ammunition was transported from Iran to Russia by cargo ships Musa Jalil and Begey, both sailing under the Russian flag. One of the ships left Iran around January 10, and the other on January 12. Both ships were carrying about 200 shipping containers filled with weapons. The ships arrived in the Russian port of Astrakhan on January 27 and left on February 3.

The source specified that the cargo contained approximately 100 million rounds of ammunition of various calibers for pistols, assault rifles and machine guns. The ships also carried about 300,000 shells for grenade launchers, mortars and artillery. In addition, there were about 10,000 bulletproof vests and helmets on board.

• On March 7, the FT reported that Russia is refraining from purchasing ballistic missiles from Iran for fear that the US will then start supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons.