The Ukrainian representative to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk, has characterized Russia’s mass production and transfer of upgraded Shahed drones to Iran as an unprecedented escalation that could lead to significant loss of life. His remarks were made during a special UN Security Council meeting on March 23.
Melnyk indicated that Ukraine has dispatched hundreds of specialists to Gulf nations to assist in countering aerial threats and intercepting Iranian drones. He stated that Russia is manufacturing these upgraded Shahed drones under Iranian licenses and supplying them to Tehran. These drones are reportedly being utilized to target the oil and gas infrastructure of Gulf countries and American military assets.
According to Melnyk, the same Shahed drones that Iran supplied to Russia at the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, aimed at attacking Ukrainian civilians, are now being produced in Russia and sent back to Iran. He described Moscow not merely as Iran’s primary ally but as a key participant in illegal attacks against the civilian infrastructure of Gulf nations.
Furthermore, the Kremlin is providing Tehran with intelligence support, including satellite imagery and other data that facilitate strikes on U.S. military installations in the Middle East. Melnyk also highlighted media reports suggesting that Russia has previously transferred attack helicopters to Iran, likely in violation of UN arms restrictions.
The military collaboration between Moscow and Tehran has been termed a “union of evil” by the Ukrainian representative, who warned that it poses a significant threat to international security.
In related developments, on February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to announce a “major military operation” against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. Trump accused the Iranian government of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
The operation’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities, as well as preventing further destabilization of the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the U.S. military operation, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. The European Union has reiterated its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to give Iranians a chance to rid themselves of the “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On February 28, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Following this, the IRGC declared the commencement of the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases.
Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon its military plans, threatening a “very strong response.” On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of the U.S. military operation against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, stating he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Trump declined to comment on Mojtaba Khamenei’s election, simply stating, “We’ll see what happens.” Previously, he had remarked that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
Ukrainian officials have raised concerns at the UN regarding Russia's production and transfer of drones to Iran, linking this to broader regional security threats. The situation reflects ongoing military tensions involving multiple nations in the Middle East.