In Ukraine, attacks by the Russian military continue in various places, including the capital Kyiv, and the damage to infrastructure facilities such as power plants is becoming serious.
It has been pointed out that drones provided by Iran were also used in the attacks by the Russian military, and the military approach between Russia and Iran has increased vigilance.
In Ukraine, from the night of the 17th to the morning of the 18th, infrastructure facilities and housing complexes were attacked by the Russian military in various places, including the capital Kyiv. made it clear that
On the 18th, in Kyiv, traffic lights were out in some areas, and public transportation was also affected, such as the inability to operate electric trolleybuses.
President Zelensky said, ``Since the 10th of this month, 30% of the power plants in Ukraine have been destroyed, and large-scale blackouts have occurred throughout the country.'' The attack by the Russian military has seriously damaged power facilities. criticized.
The British Ministry of Defense pointed out on the 18th that the Russian military is increasing the frequency of attacks across Ukraine using missiles and suicide drones provided by Iran.
The Ukrainian government has intensified its accusations against Russia and Iran, and Foreign Minister Kuleba announced on the 18th that he would recommend President Zelensky to cut off diplomatic relations with Iran.
On the other hand, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again denied the supply of drones to Russia on the 17th, and the spokesman of the Russian Presidential Office Peskov also said on the 18th that there was no such information.
However, the American think tank "War Research Institute" said that "Russia is using its relationship with Iran to obtain drones and missiles," and while the Russian military is running out of missiles, Iran and It is analyzed that there is a possibility of accelerating military cooperation between Russia and Iran, and there is a growing sense of caution about the military approach between Russia and Iran.
Iran's foreign ministry: 'Neither side nor supply of any weapons'
In response, Iran has denied supplying weapons to Russia, and Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Kyanani said on the 17th that Iran will not take sides in the war between Ukraine and Russia, nor will it do anything to either side. We have not provided any weapons," he said.
In addition, he said, "It is a black joke for countries that have provided billions of dollars worth of weapons to one of the warring parties to criticize the other." I'm here.
Under these circumstances, the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on Iranian companies for their involvement in the provision of drones, and Ukraine and Western countries are becoming more vigilant about military approaches between Russia and Iran.
Efforts to strengthen relations with Russia and Iran
Russia's Putin administration is trying to get even closer to China and India, which maintain good relations, as the conflict with Europe and the United States deepens.
However, at last month's Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are said to have expressed concerns about military aggression.
Under these circumstances, one of the countries that Russia is currently focusing on strengthening relations with is Iran, a large Middle Eastern power that has traditionally been on friendly terms with Russia, while at the same time fiercely confronting the United States.
In July, President Putin visited Iran as his first foreign visit outside of the former Soviet countries after the military invasion, and met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Raishi one after another.
President Putin has agreed to deepen cooperation with Iran in areas such as the economy and security, and has obtained direct understanding from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds the real power in Iran, about the position of Russia, which has embarked on an invasion.
In addition, Russia and Iran, both energy giants, have shown a willingness to deepen cooperation in the energy field such as crude oil and natural gas, and both are seeking transactions that eliminate the dollar as a currency under economic sanctions from the United States and Europe. It is trying to strengthen economic ties and compete with the United States.
Last month, at the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and other countries, President Putin supported Iran's formal membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. They also agreed to deepen cooperative relationships in other fields.
Russia has exported weapons such as selling the high-performance surface-to-air missile system "S300" to Iran so far, but while Russia invading Ukraine is suffering from a shortage of weapons, Iran is launching a suicide bomber. It is pointed out that it has provided drones to the Russian military and has been using them on the battlefields of Ukraine since last month.
The British Ministry of Defense and the American think tank "War Research Institute" conducted various activities in various parts of Ukraine on the 10th and 11th of this month, saying that it was a retaliation measure for the explosion that occurred on a bridge leading to Crimea in southern Ukraine, which was unilaterally annexed by the Russian military. In the large-scale attack, it is analyzed that the drone "Shahed 136", which is said to have been provided by Iran, was used.
It is believed that this drone was also used in the attack on the capital Kyiv on the 17th, and Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov strongly condemned Russia and Iran and appealed to each country to increase pressure on them. rice field.
The War Research Institute also said the Russian military may have invited Iranian elite Revolutionary Guard personnel to Crimea and Kherson province in southern Ukraine to train them in the use of the Shahed-136. doing.
Iran denies providing drones, but the U.S. government imposed sanctions on Iranian groups that were said to have been involved in the provision of drones last month, raising vigilance against military contact between the two countries. increase.
Is Russia's centripetal force weakening among the former Soviet countries?
In response to the military invasion of Ukraine by President Putin of Russia, the former Soviet countries such as Central Asia, which Russia regarded as its sphere of influence, stand out from President Putin.
In June, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan said in front of President Putin that he would not accept the unilateral declaration of independence by pro-Russian factions in the two eastern states of Ukraine. It shows that it does not approve of activities that it is a "referendum" forced by pro-Russian factions in Ukraine.
Also, on the 14th of this month, at a summit meeting between Russia and Central Asian countries, President Rahmon of Tajikistan appealed to Russia, saying, "We also want you to show respect."
This remark was made by President Putin, who complained that he only sees the countries of Central Asia as part of his own sphere of influence, but such an unusual remark is Russia's centripetal force among the former Soviet countries. is seen as a sign of a decline in