Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, who is on a visit to the United States, showed photos confirming the use by Russia of Iranian kamikaze drones ( Shahed-136 loitering ammunition, disguised as drones with the Russian name Geranium-2 ) in the war in Ukraine. He also stated that the country has classified intelligence that it is ready to provide. He was quoted by The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel announcing the provision of evidence. A TASS report at 1:21 a.m. on October 26 notes that the Duke had already shown slides of the pictures to US officials while speaking at the Atlantic Council.
“Iran categorically denied that it was supplying drones for the war against Ukraine. I will show you two slides that unequivocally prove that Iran and Iranian drones are involved in the war.”
According to the Israeli leader, the country's Defense Ministry has established that Ukraine has UAV fragments identical to those developed in Iran. The first slide showed two pairs of photographs: with Iranian Shahed-136 UAVs and fragments of Geran-2 drones found in Ukraine. On the second slide, the president showed two engines from them.
"Despite Iran's denials and attempts to hide their Iranian origin by adding Russian signatures, the photographs show that the drone stabilizers are identical in design, size and numbering," Duke's office said in a statement.
“I want to emphasize that Iran, of course, rejecting these slides, continues to supply these drones, and carry out attacks throughout Ukraine using these kamikaze drones, which are designed to wreak havoc on a large scale.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of the vast array of intelligence information, including covert intelligence . We can show it. But it must be admitted: Iran is participating in the war in Ukraine, committing actions against the people of Ukraine and causing great anguish and pain.”
The President also said that the world should speak with Iran in "tough and uncompromising" language.
“As we have repeatedly found, there is a price for every hesitation on Iran. In recent months, the Iranian regime has shown the world its true face, which Israel has known for many years. No one can ignore the fact that the Iranian regime is using violence against its own citizens and is brutally cracking down on hijab-wearing protests in flagrant violations of human rights.”
In October, Israeli Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai said that "the time has come to provide Ukraine with military assistance, as the United States and NATO countries do." He called for arms deliveries after reports that Russia was buying ballistic missiles from Iran. According to the minister, there was no doubt which side Israel should take "in this bloody conflict." On October 18, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba submitted a proposal to Zelensky for consideration to sever diplomatic relations with Iran, “taking into account the numerous destruction caused by Iranian drones to the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine, the death and suffering caused to the people.”
Judging by the published images of the downed Geran-2 drones, which are exactly the same as Iranian drones, Russia during the war decided to purchase a batch of kamikaze drones from Iran or assembles them itself under an Iranian license. However, both countries deny any deal. According to The Washington Post, Tehran has supplied Moscow with Mohajer-6 and Shahed series drones capable of carrying ammunition to attack radars, artillery and other military targets. According to Ukrainian media, the downed Shahed- 136s were disguised as a Geran-2 drone, the first such ammunition was shot down in September. Pro-Russian Telegram channels also confirmed that drones purchased in Iran or assembled under an Iranian license could go into battle.