Attack on UK military base in Cyprus: Russian components found in Iranian drones
фото: іранські ЗМІ
On Sunday, March 1, a suicide drone attacked the British air base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. A Russian-made navigation system was found on the drone.
This is reported by The Times .
According to the publication, the drone was equipped with a Russian-made Kometa-B navigation system. Similar systems were previously found in drones that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted in December.
British military intelligence has recovered components of the drone and sent them to a laboratory in the UK for further analysis. Preliminary assessments suggest that the attack may have been carried out by Hezbollah militants from Lebanon.
Journalists note that this may be the first confirmation of the use of Russian equipment in combat operations in the Middle East.
The UK’s Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, said that Russia had been passing intelligence to Iran.
“Russia was passing intelligence to Iran,” said Sir Richard Knighton.
According to him, close military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran strengthens their capabilities and creates additional security risks.
Against this background, the UK is expressing concern that British military facilities in Cyprus could become a potential target for Iran.
On Saturday, London announced a strengthening of its military presence in the Middle East. In particular, the aircraft carrier HMS “Prince of Wales” may be sent to the Persian Gulf within 5 days.
The UK Ministry of Defence announced that since January the country has been gradually increasing its military presence in the region. This includes the deployment of:
- Typhoon fighters;
- F-35 fighter jets;
- air defense systems;
- additional 400 troops in Cyprus.
In addition, 3 American B-1 Lancer bombers arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. According to Richard Knighton, the US may soon begin carrying out combat missions from this base.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia could transfer technology to Iran for the production of drones.
“We understand that they can transfer electronic components for the Shahed. This can be seen in the fragments of these drones that are used in the Middle East today. The Iranian Shaheds have Russian-made parts, and this is what we know for sure,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
As is known, on Sunday, March 1, Iran fired missiles at British military bases in Cyprus.
It was previously reported that representatives of the US Department of Defense visited Ukraine to discuss the possible use of Ukrainian experience in countering drones . The point is the development of cheaper means of intercepting drones that can be used by the American side.
By the way,the US has officially asked Ukraine to share its experience in intercepting Iranian Shahed strike drones. This is because Iran’s rapid counterattack using cheap and easy-to-manufacture drones after the start of the US-Israeli military campaign demonstrated the vulnerability of the US and its regional allies.
As a reminder, the US and Middle Eastern countries are negotiating with Ukraine to purchase interceptor drones to repel drone attacks from Iran.
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