Reports have circulated previously regarding Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, with Tehran consistently denying any involvement. The use of Iranian drones by Russian forces to target Ukrainian civilian infrastructure has also been subject to similar denials. Despite these claims, recent intelligence suggests a significant shift in Russia’s military strategy, signalling further escalations in the war.The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed an attack on the Volgograd region by Ukrainian drones but claimed that all the drones were neutralised. However, videos surfaced on social media showing a large explosion near Kotluban, where the depot storing Iranian-supplied munitions is said to be located. When cross-referencing the footage with the reports from Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation and other sources, the likelihood of a successful strike appears high.If these reports are confirmed, it represent not just another successful operation by Ukraine but also a testament to the strength of Ukraine’s intelligence operations. The precision of the strike indicates a high level of intelligence gathering, potentially sourced from both Russian and Iranian military operations, as pinpointing the location of such high-value targets would necessitate detailed and sophisticated insider knowledge.
