The war between Iran and the US-led bloc may be unfolding in the Middle East, but the players behind it could be far wider. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russia shared intelligence with Iran ahead of a strike on a US military airbase in Saudi Arabia. At the centre of this new development is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has alleged that Russia played a direct role in helping Iran target US-linked military sites.
Speaking during a visit to Qatar, Zelenskyy said he was “100%” confident that Russia had shared intelligence with Iran ahead of a strike on a US airbase in Saudi Arabia.
“I think that it’s in Russia’s interest to help Iranians. And I don’t believe — I know — that they share information,” he said. “Do they help Iranians? Of course. How many percent? One-hundred percent.”
According to a summary of Ukrainian intelligence shared with NBC News by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian satellites captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base on March 20, March 23 and March 25. The base, which houses US and Saudi forces, was attacked by Iran on March 26, leaving several American personnel injured.
Zelenskyy said such repeated imaging is not routine. “We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, it’s like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack,” he explained.
NO EVIDENCE TO BACK CLAIMS
Despite the seriousness of the allegation, there is no independent verification of the intelligence shared by Ukraine. The briefing cited by Zelenskyy did not include direct evidence of satellite imagery or explain how Kyiv obtained the information.
Russia has also rejected similar accusations in the past. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently denied that Moscow was sharing intelligence with Iran, though he acknowledged ongoing military cooperation between the two countries.
However, earlier reports had suggested that Russia may have been providing Iran with information on the location of US forces in the region.
ZELENSKYY COURTS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE WAR
Zelenskyy is seeking support from Gulf states for Ukraine’s war against Russia. During his visits, Ukraine has offered its battlefield experience, particularly in air defence and drone warfare, to countries facing Iranian missile and drone threats.
He said agreements had already been reached with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, involving Ukraine sharing technical expertise in return for significant investments. “They recognise our expertise,” Zelenskyy said, pointing to Ukraine’s experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia has extensively used in its war.
The Ukrainian leader also expressed concern that the growing conflict in West Asia could divert critical US military supplies away from Ukraine. With American allies in the region facing repeated attacks, demand for missile defence systems has surged.
“I’m very worried. I hope that the United States will not make such mistakes,” Zelenskyy said, stressing that continued Western military support remains crucial for Ukraine’s defence.
Zelenskyy’s claims, whether proven or not, point to a larger shift in global alignments. As Iran intensifies its confrontation with the US and its allies, and Russia continues its war in Ukraine, the possibility of overlapping interests between Moscow and Tehran is becoming harder to ignore.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
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