Iran has sold Russia missile weapons valued at nearly $2.7 billion to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing a Western security expert. According to the assessment, the contracts with Russia were signed starting in October 2021, before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The purchases reportedly included hundreds of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, nearly 500 additional short-range ballistic missiles, as well as around 200 surface-to-air missiles associated with air defense systems.
Cooperation between Moscow and Tehran intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war triggered sweeping international sanctions against Russia and marked the most serious breakdown in relations between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. According to Bloomberg, Iranian weapons deliveries further strengthened the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Ammunition and attack drones
Bloomberg’s source stated that Iran also supplied Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition and artillery shells. The current estimate does not cover the full scope of purchases, as additional deliveries are expected.
A key component of the military cooperation involved Shahed-136 attack drones. Iran not only delivered the drones but also transferred technology that enabled Russia to establish domestic production under the name “Geran-2”. This agreement was signed in early 2023 and was valued at approximately $1.75 billion.
Overall, according to the Western source, Russia has spent more than $4 billion on Iranian military equipment and weapons since the end of 2021.
Political and economic context
The rapprochement between Iran and Russia began in the 2010s amid Western pressure and sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear program. In January 2025, Tehran and Moscow signed a strategic partnership agreement, which does not include provisions for mutual defense.
According to Bloomberg’s source, Russia did not provide Iran with meaningful assistance during Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian territory last year. At the same time, Moscow and Tehran are working to develop a trade corridor through Iran to India and are discussing expanded financial and banking cooperation aimed at mitigating the impact of international sanctions.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense and Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.
Source: Deutsche Welle citing Bloomberg — https://p.dw.com/p/56ia3