Russian TV Pundit Admits on Hot Mic Kremlin Lying About Iranian Drones

A Russian official admitted that Russia used Iranian drones in attacks against Ukraine despite previous denials from the Kremlin. The pundit didn't realize he was on live television when he said the statements.

BBC Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford tweeted a 14-second video of the Russian television panelist walking to his seat for a televised segment.

"Russian officials: how dare you suggest we're using Iranian drones? Pundit who doesn't realise he's already live on TV: We won't rock the boat, so I beg you not to focus too much on the Iranian [...] because we all know they're Iranian, but the authorities haven't admitted it," Rainsford tweeted with a clip of the video Thursday morning.

Iranian and Russian officials have denied the use of Iranian drones against Ukraine, but both Reuters and The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Iran had promised to restock Putin with missiles and drones, citing senior Iranian officials and U.S. security officials, respectively. The deal was first reached on October 6 during Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber's visit to Moscow, Reuters added.

Rainsford's tweet had more than 1,500 interactions by Thursday afternoon.

According to Rainsford, the pundit used a Russian joke to make his point.

"He uses a phrase from a Russian joke about a kid whose parents say there's no such word as 'bum' so that she doesn't use it—but she knows very well she has one," Rainsford tweeted.

Proof that Russia is using Iranian drones could lead to a conflict escalation, and countries opposing Russia's actions may implement sanctions against Iran. Michael Kimmage, professor and chair of the Catholic University of America's history department, told Newsweek that the Iranian drones, alongside other tools, are primarily being used to target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, such as the electrical grid.

When asked about using Iranian drones, Russian officials promised only Russian equipment was used in the attacks.

"Russian equipment with Russian nomenclature is used," Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in the Reuters article. "All further questions should be directed to the Defence Ministry."

Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of using the Iranian drones, specifically in attacks against Kyiv. According to a statement from Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have shot down more than 200 Iranian "kamikaze" drones since mid-September. The U.S. State Department also confirmed Iranian drones were used in Ukrainian attacks after conducting an assessment on a Monday attack in Kyiv.

Russian forces have grown increasingly aggressive in their attacks. In a televised address, Russian lawmaker Andrey Gurulyov spoke of targeting civilians in an effort to win the war. He urged Russian forces to freeze and starve the Ukrainian civilian population.

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defence for comment.