Russian technology has been discovered inside the Iranian drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, British military investigators have said.
The Shahed kamikaze drone was fitted with a Kometa-B navigation system, equipment of Russian origin that Ukrainian air defence forces first identified in intercepted drones last December.
The Kometa-B technology was engineered specifically to shield drones from electronic jamming, providing protection against countermeasures and ensuring accurate target acquisition.
Recovered fragments from the attack have been transported to a laboratory in Britain for detailed examination following the attack, believed to have been launched by Hezbollah militants operating from Lebanon.
The discovery provides the first confirmed instance of Russian military technology being deployed in the ongoing Iran conflict.
Moscow’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin, declared on Saturday that his country is "not neutral" in the war and that Moscow's stance is "supportive to Iran".
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the discovery of Russian components in the drone did not surprise her.
She explained there had been a history of "collaboration between Russia and Iran over a long time on some of these issues".
Russian technology has been discovered inside the Iranian drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus
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Ms Cooper described it as part of a "bigger pattern of cooperation" between the two nations.
"We know we have faced threats to our security in Europe from Russia," The Foreign Secretary told Sky News.
"We see that in Ukraine, but also more widely, those threats to Europe as well."
The Kremlin has also been accused of providing intelligence to the Islamic regime to aid its attacks on the US and allies.
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The Kremlin has also been accused of providing intelligence to the Islamic regime to aid its attacks on the US and allies
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Two officials with knowledge of US intelligence assessments indicated on Friday that Russia has supplied Iran with information that could assist Tehran in targeting American warships, aircraft and other military assets operating in the region.
Sir Richard Knighton, the Chief of the Defence Staff, stated he has "no doubt" that Moscow has been sharing intelligence with Tehran throughout the conflict.
"This is an axis that we need to call out. The co-operation between Iran and Russia makes their forces more capable and more dangerous, and that's why we need to be ready," he told The Times.
The head of the armed forces’s comment heightened fears that British military personnel and equipment could become targets based on Russian intelligence sharing.
Britain is deploying increased security measures, including HMS Dragon, to protect RAF Akrotiri
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Britain has moved to strengthen its defensive capabilities on the island, deploying two AW159 Wildcat helicopters armed with anti-drone missiles.
HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, is also expected to depart Portsmouth in the coming days.
The Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is being prepared for a potential deployment to the Middle East.
However, the deployment has done little to impress President Donald Trump, causing Labour MPs to flock to the Prime Minister's defence.
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