Russia Getting Iranian Drones a Sign of 'Military Bankruptcy': Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia's reported dependency on Iranian drones is a sign of the Kremlin's "military and political bankruptcy."

Zelensky made the remarks during a Tuesday video address on Russia's recent attacks to Ukraine's energy system, adding that over 10 regions of Ukraine had "suffered terrorist attacks" in the past day. He said that the Ukrainian military had shot down some of the drones and missiles launched at civilian areas, and that officials have already held several meetings regarding infrastructure restoration plans.

"We should remember that the very fact of Russia's appeal to Iran for such assistance is the Kremlin's recognition of its military and political bankruptcy," Zelensky said. "For decades, they've been spending billions of dollars on their military-industrial complex, and in the end they went to bow to Tehran to get rather simple drones and missiles."

Zelensky's comments follow reports from both The Washington Post and Reuters on Tuesday that Iranian officials had made promises to restock Russia's depleting weapons supply. The deal was allegedly reached on October 6 during Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber's visit to Moscow, Reuters reported.

The reports contradict a statement released by the Iranian government on Saturday when officials denied that Iran was supplying drones to Russia after the Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down several Iranian-made drones.

"It only further proves to the world that Russia is on the trajectory of its defeat and is trying to draw someone else into its accomplices in terror," Zelensky added in his Tuesday address.

The reported support from the Iranian military could help Russia President Vladimir Putin fill in the gaps of his depleting missiles supply, which Ukrainian officials have surmised is reduced to about one third of what Russia's military had at the start of the invasion.

Vedant Patel, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, said in a briefing on Tuesday that the U.S. would continue to make it difficult for Iran to sell weapons to Russia, according to Reuters, and that the U.S. had a "number of tools" to hold the two countries accountable.

"We will continue to take practical, aggressive steps to make these weapons sales harder, including sanctions, export control actions against any entities involved," Patel said, according to Reuters.

Zelensky also praised the Estonian parliament during his address for designating Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism" in a vote held Tuesday, and for condemning the country's annexation of Ukrainian territory.

"This is another European step to ensure that the actual reality of Russian terror and the European official attitude towards Russia completely coincide," Zelensky said. "Terror must receive all types of response—on the battle, with sanctions and legally."

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.