The use of drones, such as programmable flying bombs and remote-controlled surveillance models, on Ukrainian battlefields is on the rise as the conflict approaches its ninth month. They also include commercial-grade Chinese drones and military drones made in the US, Turkey, and Russia.
Uncertainty exists over the whole spectrum of models and the nations that supplied them. However, the quick rise in the quantity and variety of unmanned drones used in the fight suggests that smaller, less expensive weaponry will most likely become a mainstay of contemporary armed conflicts.
In a little more than a month, Ukraine claims its military has shot down more than 220 Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones. Ukraine has asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to visit Ukraine to view some of the debris it has gathered.
The US stated on Wednesday that it has “sufficient proof” that Russia is attacking Ukraine with military drones built in Iran. According to the United States and the European Union in Washington, any arms transfer violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which is part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a now-defunct agreement to restrict Iran’s nuclear activities and prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon.
“We have abundant evidence that these UAVs are being utilized to target Ukrainian people and essential civilian infrastructure,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, declared the weapons were produced in Russia after the Security Council meeting on Wednesday. He also slammed the statement calling it “baseless accusations and conspiracy theories.”
He urged Guterres and his team to “refrain from conducting any unauthorized probe. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll have to reevaluate our partnership with them, which isn’t really in anyone’s best interests,” he told the press.
It’s significant to highlight that since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has sent Ukraine weaponry of this nature.
The Pentagon declared in March that it will deliver 100 Switchblade “tactical unmanned aerial systems.” The administration promised to give 300 more the next month. The Defense Department announced that 120 Phoenix Ghost drones would be sent to Ukraine eight days later. The United States gave Ukraine money in July to purchase 580 more of them.
In response to Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba’s suggestion that Kiev should cut diplomatic ties with Iran, Iran earlier this week said it was prepared for “conversation and discussion with Ukraine to refute these claims.” Iran denies providing drones to Russia.
