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News & Current Events Mar 27, 2026 at 6:36 PM

Russia is sending upgraded drones used in the Ukraine war to Iran, officials say

Posted by ethereal3xp

Russia is sending upgraded drones used in the Ukraine war to Iran, officials say
Toronto Star
Russia is sending upgraded drones used in the Ukraine war to Iran, officials say
While Iran has its own stocks of Shahed drones, Russia has made improvements to the design during the war in Ukraine, including adding better navigation capabilities.
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Jack-O7 Mar 27, 2026 +395
Russia is running low on military equipment, so they are trying to drain NA’s resources as well to level the playing field.
395
opinelmavric Mar 27, 2026 +194
One thing they're not running low on is Geran drones, they're pumping out 1000s a month.
194
SamsonFox2 Mar 27, 2026 +65
We'll see how serious is ~~Israel~~ US is about ending this war by looking at how long that factory survives.
65
No_Tree_8144 Mar 27, 2026 +69
well the problem here is america cant launch a missile themselves into Russian territory to take out that factory cuz that would cuz a nuclear war. they need to provide ukraine with those weapons and intelligence to do so. which is obvious trump won't because he's been pulling assets from there already
69
SlateRoof Mar 27, 2026 +68
That's a strange way of saying Trump is a Russian asset.
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dhaliman Mar 28, 2026 +9
I think the better thing to say would be that the American people made a terrible mistake when picking their elected representative.
9
Hevens-assassin Mar 28, 2026 +7
The American people chose this. Anyone who got duped, shouldn't be allowed to vote.
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opinelmavric Mar 27, 2026 -36
Orrr maybe no one wants to see an even larger war?
-36
waxenpi Mar 28, 2026 +14
The war in Iran has caused sanctions on Russian oil to be lifted. Trump is Putin’s pawn.
14
opinelmavric Mar 28, 2026 +2
more likely that the US is Israel's pawn
2
Osiris32 Mar 28, 2026 +3
The two are not mutually exclusive. And Trump being Putin's b**** has been far more out in the open.
3
scenr0 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Both can be true
1
DisastrousAcshin Mar 28, 2026 +4
See that Ukraine ends up with some missiles that can
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SamsonFox2 Mar 27, 2026 +17
> well the problem here is america cant launch a missile themselves into Russian territory to take out that factory cuz that would cuz a nuclear war. Well, firstly, the way thing work is that some missile may just hit the factory. Given that Iran just bombed the entire region, it will be a game of "Guess who?". And, secondly, there'll be no nuclear war.
17
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -14
So you're saying UK munitions factories would be a legal valid target for Russia?
-14
SamsonFox2 Mar 27, 2026 +14
Just like they already blow up in Eastern Europe?
14
brickout Mar 28, 2026 +7
... Is this even a question? You think Trump would send missiles into Russia to help him win in Iran? Lol.
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opinelmavric Mar 27, 2026
The US isn't going to hit a factory in Russia get a grip lol
0
ngless13 Mar 28, 2026
War is Peace brother.
0
Zemledeliye Mar 27, 2026 +28
Russia running so low on equipment they are giving it away to other countries?
28
Mechasteel Mar 28, 2026 +3
Ukraine is the best in the world at intercepting Russian drones. The US can but uses very expensive interceptors. Those interceptors can stop much harder to hit Russian missiles. Russia doesn't want Ukraine to get those interceptors, so having expensive US interceptors blow up c**** Russian drones is a win for Russia.
3
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -1
from what I hear their economy may collapse this weekend. And they're out of men and ammunition...any day now...
-1
FrogsJumpFromPussy Mar 28, 2026 +9
I hear this rumors for 4 years already, on weekly basis 
9
NorCalMisfit Mar 28, 2026 +2
Gordon Chang, is that you?
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bon-ton-roulet Mar 28, 2026 +1
no idea who that is , sorry edited to add -googled him - wow that's weird take. I can't imagine how you possibly got there... unless you didn't get the sarcasm?
1
NorCalMisfit Mar 28, 2026 +2
Gordon Chang is on the CIA...I mean National Endowment for Democracy's payroll and he's been saying China is going to collapse "next week" for thirty years.
2
bon-ton-roulet Mar 28, 2026
yeah, I'm the opposite of that. I'm Chinamaxxing as you kids say
0
Any-Monk-9395 Mar 28, 2026 +10
Russia is not running out of drones or missiles anytime soon.
10
NorCalMisfit Mar 28, 2026 +5
This is a huge loss for ukraine, I can't imagine how many washing machines Russia had to steal to make all these drones.
5
hauntingdreamspace Mar 28, 2026 +7
What's NA?
7
ps120evo Mar 28, 2026 +3
North America.. which makes zero sense.
3
JimTheSaint Mar 27, 2026 +2
No that would not be possible but they can help Iran continue the war - and make some extra money selling their oil 
2
ImnotanAIHonest Mar 28, 2026 +1
Also making bank on the oil price
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Jubjars Mar 28, 2026 +1
More North Korean stockpiles for the axis then? I can see a resulting eastern front of that's the case.
1
LionXDokkaebi Mar 27, 2026 +60
So like… do they wait at the border and then wait for the handoff to then strike? Cause I’d imagine Israeli or U.S. airstrikes on Russian soldiers wouldn’t go too well. Imagine, a break from nuclear threats against Europe and instead shifting to nuclear threats against Israel
60
mmmmmmham Mar 27, 2026 +33
Not quite that easy. If they are coming over the land border in the NE of Iran then distance is a logistical challenge for fighter planes to strike. Its over 1000-1200KM from the borders where Israel and US are entering the country from. Its not completely out of the combat range of some fighters but it makes it more difficult. There have recently been strikes at Mashhad in the NE. Israel reportedly striked ships in the Iranian Caspian Sea ports that were transporting russian weapons maybe drone so at least that route is under attack. Iran also allegedly has drone production facilities in Tajikistan
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unia_7 Mar 28, 2026 +2
Russia does not have land borders with Iran.
2
PringeLSDose Mar 28, 2026
they never said that
0
unia_7 Mar 28, 2026 +1
It's a stretch imagining that the neighboring countries would want to put themselves in the middle of the war by supplying Russian weapons to Iran. No, the Russian weapons are delivered by ship over the Caspian sea.
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lizardtrench Mar 27, 2026 +16
There's likely not a ton of effective interdiction here - Iran's borders large, this area of the country is difficult for our aviation to reach, and we have nothing on the ground. Even half-assedly sneaking some drones in is probably going to be pretty safe. They're drones, so they can also be modified to land and simply flown in.
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Such_Difference_2248 Mar 27, 2026 +9
I mean, Russia has been threatening Europe weekly with nuclear annihilation. I don't think Israel cares about that, especially given that they themselves are a nuclear power.
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bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -10
no they haven't. Where do you get this nonsense. More like the other way around - with Shades Macron waving his nukes around at the passing schoolgirls. He wants to loan them out? Maybe Russia should loan a few nuclear ICBM's out - if we want to start getting into loaning things.
-10
Philo_Publius1776 Mar 27, 2026 +2
Russia can't do shit about it. There is nothing to 'not go well'
2
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -2
I think the UK should test that theory. Show Trump how tough and loyal they are.
-2
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026
why do it by land they share a sea that has no enemy ships in it.
0
poestavern Mar 27, 2026 +19
Trump’s a Russian asset…..
19
Euclidisthebomb Mar 27, 2026 +39
The inability of the US Navy to secure the Straights of Hormuz is a damning indictment of the foresight & planning that went into this little misadventure. Every day we get more evidence that the Trump brain trust planned only as far as "bomb Iran for 12 hours and we will get a phone call where they surrender". Its as bad if not worse then the 3 day special police action Putin attempted with Ukraine. All this war is really doing is exposing weaknesses inside the US international maneuver and control doctrine. Enemies are taking notes. And in the meantime Trump is failing terribly at his version of the Teddy Roosevelt extended Monroe Doctrine.
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aholetookmyusername Mar 27, 2026 +15
He surrounded himself with yes-men. This failure is to be expected.
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Objective-Power2228 Mar 28, 2026 +2
It would be impossible for any navy to secure the straight of Hormuz. It makes no sense, logistically everything would be working against you. That’s why this war is f****** stupid. It’s had such little thought put into it
2
RarelyReadReplies Mar 28, 2026 +1
I'm still not sure if I buy the theory that Trump is just a bumbling idiot. I wouldn't be surprised if this was all going as planned. Russia is benefiting massively, billionaires who placed the right bets with some well timed insider info are definitely benefiting, and let's not forget Epstein and his files. 
1
angular_circle Mar 28, 2026 -4
>All this war is really doing is exposing weaknesses inside the US international maneuver and control doctrine. The US military has displayed nothing but competence in this war. Politics on the other hand...
-4
Euclidisthebomb Mar 28, 2026 +3
Thank you for the laugh.
3
AyiHutha Mar 27, 2026 +68
If the US gave Ukraine a few tomahawks this wouldn't even be an issue... >The Kremlin is trying to prevent the United States from providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in order to retain the sanctuary that Russia enjoys in its rear.** Ukrainian forces are able to conduct long-range drone strikes against a significant portion of Russia’s rear, but the payloads on these drones are limited and not suitable to destroy specialized objects. Ukraine’s ability to launch missile strikes deep into Russia’s rear with larger payloads would allow Ukraine to significantly damage – if not destroy – key military assets in Russia, such as the Shahed drone factory in Yelabuga, Republic of Tatarstan, or the Engels-2 Air Base in Saratov Oblast from which Russia sorties strategic bombers that fire air-launch cruise missiles at Ukraine. Russia has been able to significantly scale up its Shahed drone production by expanding the factory in Yelabuga, allowing Russia to launch increasingly large and more frequent long-range drone strikes against Ukraine. Russia’s nightly strike packages in September 2025 featured an average of 187 long-range drones (many of which are Shahed-type drones) per night, whereas similar strike packages in January 2025 only featured an average of 83 drones, for example. Russia notably started launching overnight strike packages that included over 500 drones more frequently in September 2025. ISW assesses that there are at least 1,945 Russian military objects within range of the 2,500-kilometer variant Tomahawk and at least 1,655 within range of the 1,600-kilometer variant. Ukraine likely can significantly degrade Russia’s frontline battlefield performance by targeting a vulnerable subset of rear support areas that sustain and support Russia’s frontline operations**.**\[4\] Ukraine has reportedly launched mass production of its new, domestically produced FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile with a 3,000-kilometer range and 1,150-kilogram warhead, but the system remains unproven, and Ukraine will need time to scale up production.\[5\] https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-5-2025/#:~:text=Ukraine's%20ability%20to%20launch%20missile,range%20drone%20strikes%20against%20Ukraine.
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Elvendorn Mar 27, 2026 +17
How would they launch tomahawks?
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DifferentElevator384 Mar 27, 2026 +44
Running start
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schminch Mar 27, 2026 +7
You push I’ll pull.
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WaffleHouseGladiator Mar 27, 2026 +12
Mark 41 VLS launcher or something similar probably
12
Big_Introduction1952 Mar 27, 2026 +19
They have ground launchers for Tomahawks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhon_missile_system
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Special_Ad712 Mar 27, 2026 +8
There are a grand total of two batteries. In total.  Ukraine isn’t getting the tomahawk anytime soon.
8
biscuitarse Mar 27, 2026 +21
Not with the US in Putin's back pocket
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concerned_seagull Mar 27, 2026 +13
It’s feasible that they will be able to figure out how to do it themselves. They figured out how to use their MiG-29 / Su-27 planes to fire NATOs AGM-88 HARM missiles to the surprise of everyone. I’d imagine they will use a truck launch system similar to their Neptunes or S300. Borrow the launch interface system from some ship. Who knows. Something similar was done by the US with their Gryphon (Cold War ground-launched Tomahawk). 
13
EmergencyHorror4792 Mar 27, 2026 +7
Couple strong Ukrainian lads could probably heave it off a roof I reckon, how do they normally launch them? (Genuine question does Ukraine not have a suitable launch platform?)
7
Contrary_Kind Mar 27, 2026 +2
When there is a will, there is a way.
2
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -1
What if Russia gave Iran ICBMs? That would change the calculus of the whole war
-1
h3r3andth3r3 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Google Ukraine's new "Flamingo" cruise missile
1
JLRfan Mar 27, 2026
If only Ukraine would have quid-pro-quo’d like Trump wanted em too, I guess. /s
0
tormentnexus Mar 27, 2026 +79
We all knew this would happen. Russia now has a vested interested in "getting back" at the US for assisting in Ukraine. The sooner Trump admits he fucked up and gets us out of Iran the better.
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DokMabuseIsIn Mar 27, 2026 +21
>Russia now has a vested interested in "getting back" at the US for assisting in Ukraine. It’s business, not personal. Russia helps Iran, in hopes of drawing US into a quagmire and deplete its weapons supplies — which means less for Ukraine, Europe, and the Far East. It also benefits Russia’s current ally, China, since US is pulling assets from Korea and Japan to deploy them in the Gulf — leaving Taiwan exposed.
21
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -1
Even the US intelligence agencies say a military reunification isn't expected immediately. However seeing America's floundering in the Gulf may inspire them - I think they're playing the long game and hope to have a peaceful reunification within 10 - 20 years. But you are right, it must be tempting - especially if they pull stuff from Guam etc... we'll see... definitely not dull times
-1
DoktorSigma Mar 27, 2026 +12
Also, they are not happy with Israel's attacks in the Caspian. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2637876/amp
12
WardedDruid Mar 27, 2026 +22
Even if trump was capable of admitting he was wrong..... Even if trump managed to pull every single American soldier and apparatus out of the conflict.... Would not end the war that trump has started. The attacks would continue on Isreal and the innocent surrounding countries that are currently being attacked.
22
Far-Association5438 Mar 27, 2026 +20
You mean Israel will continue to bomb Iran lol. Trying to turn that narrative around.
20
WardedDruid Mar 27, 2026 +10
I'm not trying to turn anything around. The comments were specifically about the US in the war. I also didn't think I needed to state the obvious fact that Isreal will keep doing what they're doing no matter what the US does moving forward. Edit: reread my comment about the continued bombing. I did attempt to separate Isreal from the other innocent countries that are still going to be victims in this shitshow.
10
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -2
There won't be an Israel to bomb anyone if this continues another two months. Haifa is in ruins, and Iron Dome is exhausted. Hezbollah is averaging 10 Merkavas a day ...their much discussed destruction seems somewhat less complete than previously advertised Today the Chief of Staff warned the IDF is in danger of "collapsing" and the Haredi are still exempt causing internal division with morale being at record low levels. They've been at war for 900 days now. they just don't have the reserves to keep this up. If they get desperate I wouldn't put it past them to use their nuclear weapons.
-2
IntelArtiGen Mar 27, 2026 +4
> Would not end the war that trump has started. The attacks would continue on Isreal and the innocent surrounding countries that are currently being attacked. Trump wasn't needed to start these attacks and this drone problem, we knew it was going to happen when it happened in Ukraine 3+ years ago, it's too easy to ignore the responsibility all countries have when they were able to help Ukraine more and didn't do it. Saudi Arabia was attacked by iranian drones in 2019, Houthis blocked a strait years ago and also used drones, Iran launched hundreds of drones on Israel in 2024. Clearly the situation was worsened by this war he started, but let's not imply we had total peace in the Middle East under other US presidents or that this drone threat wasn't growing no matter what he did. Dozens of countries were able to help Ukraine more and deliberately didn't do it, because somehow it wouldn't be fair if they were able to use our missiles deep inside Russia to destroy these drone factories. This is the result, everyone who gets hit by Iranian and Russian drones have a responsibility, we knew it was going to happen and we didn't do enough. And it even continues today: https://en.defence-ua.com/news/qatar_has_12_stored_mirage_fighters_ukraine_wants_deal_could_trade_anti_drone_help_for_fighter_jets-17898.html > Ukraine wants to exchange drone interception help for Mirage 2000-5 > these Mirage 2000-5s have long been retired from service in the Qatar Air Force and are no longer needed there
4
EgoTripWire Mar 27, 2026 +1
Didn't Republicans just host Russian lawmakers and Trump lift sanctions so that Russia can better fund killing American soldiers? Trump doesn't have to admit shit. Russia destroying America is his goal too.
1
angular_circle Mar 28, 2026 +1
>The sooner Trump admits he fucked up and gets us out of Iran the better. Nah you gotta finish the job now. Even if a Dem took over as president right this second, they'd be stupid not to.
1
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026
They're also allies of Iran's long before this phase of the US war began. When countries are "allies" that means that they might share intelligence or materiel good or even weapons. Allies can be critical to success in a modern military conflict. To give you an example from current world events:: The UK give/sell weapons to Ukraine, as well as cash and even have special forces on the ground in Ukraine. This is because they are "allies" Perhaps there's a little "getting back" at the Yanks, but considering they helped when there was the earthquake as well, my guess would be it's simply because that's what allies do.
0
ps120evo Mar 28, 2026 +1
They're barely allies.
1
darktumbles Mar 27, 2026 +9
OK so sell me the ideal. Trump attacks Iran leading to market manipulation to capitalize on the stupid emotional market. From there he cuts Russian sanctions to influence the supply of oil globally again market manipulation, but Now Russia will send upgraded drones to Iran which will soon have american troops on the ground. So Iran has better drones built by Russia from money Trump gave them to attack American soldiers? In the mean time Trump has a embargo on Cuba and is preventing oil flow to the country but Russian Tankers are delivering oil there without penalty or even one of those silly Biggly announcement on Trumpo Twatter. All the while the DOJ in the US are protecting him from the R*** files and the media in the US are in litigation with the DOW about first amendment rights? This was the MAGA, freedom, we love the Bible no war president. Holy Smokes Americans are crazy do they know what's going on.
9
Tricky_Potatoe Mar 27, 2026 +7
how do you sneak in shaheds into Iran without the US noticing?
7
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 +2
first off - there's no evidence provided, and it's a war so my immediate question from every side and every source is - "Is this true" But let's assume it is true - the Americans DO see it - that's where we get this intelligence and Russia and Iran both share the Caspian sea - seems like it would be relatively easy to pass unmolested through there. remember you could fit dozens of these drones into a shipping container
2
mjohnsimon Mar 27, 2026 +30
So unless Trump gets out of Iran asap, we're likely gonna see drone footage of our troops getting blown up or having grenades dropped on them in 4k. If the sight of seeing your own children getting blown up (or worse; close-up footage of the sheer terror on their faces right before the drones detonate) doesn't get MAGA to change their tunes, then I don't know what will...
30
Scottdg93 Mar 27, 2026 +14
But Biden…… /s
14
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 +3
Americans will never ever see anything like that unless wikileaks leaks it.
3
felis_scipio Mar 27, 2026 +5
Don’t worry Trump always figures out a way to deflect responsibility and Fox News will just pretend like the footage doesn’t exist
5
UH1Phil Mar 27, 2026 +1
They're sending the long range upgraded Geran/Shahed style drones, not Baba Yaga style or FPV drones that drops grenades and smack into people. Geran/Shahed act like cruise missiles blowing up buildings mostly. Although your sentiment stands if the US sends ground troops, there's no way Iran hasn't learned from Russias invasion of Ukraine in this regard.
1
Retirednypd Mar 27, 2026 +17
Tbh, I dont see How this doesnt become a full fledged ww3 soon
17
jeffersonianMI Mar 27, 2026 +7
Foreign press has been calling this for awhile in some places.  
7
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026
I genuinely think it should be WW4 I would count the Cold War as WW3 That seems to make more sense to me , but I am aware it's an outlier position.
0
Gackey Mar 27, 2026 +2
Who's coming to the Israeli/American axis's help?
2
JLRfan Mar 27, 2026 +2
Half-assed guess: Nato will break, and a handful will join US/Israel, the rest try to stay out of it.
2
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -3
who is coming to help their victim more importantly. I think Europe should impose sanctions on the US and Israel and start sending arms to Iran. To not do so is not only hypocritical, but ruins and gives lie to the primary legal argument for defending Ukraine. The double standard couldn't be clearer.
-3
Retirednypd Mar 27, 2026
Good point
0
IntelArtiGen Mar 27, 2026 +11
Top 1 reason why the US / Europe / Gulf countries should have helped more to protect Ukraine: you knew it was going to be you tomorrow. And tomorrow is 28 days ago when the first Shahed drones started hitting them. How many soldiers have been killed / injured already by these drones? 10? 20? 50? How many before we start helping Ukraine more?
11
Catodacat Mar 27, 2026 +4
Good thing they don't have the money to make more due to the oil sanc ... wait, I'm getting an update.
4
PersonalHospital9507 Mar 27, 2026 +2
US is now diverting ammunition promised to Ukraine to ME. Not enough anti air assets to go around,
2
AliceLunar Mar 27, 2026 +2
So America can use it's insane military budget to develop a counter and then sell that to Ukraine since it's only interest is war profiteering anyways.
2
Livid_Virus2972 Mar 27, 2026 +2
Yep life has almost gotten back to normal here in Kyiv. Thanks to Iran I guess.
2
usuallysortadrunk Mar 27, 2026 +2
Upgraded probably just means fixed up.
2
JLRfan Mar 27, 2026 +2
Really tiptoeing our way into World War III aren’t we?
2
bandita07 Mar 28, 2026 +2
We are already at war.
2
PuzKarapuz Mar 27, 2026 +2
Big Good Gift fot Donny from his close friend
2
Glidepath22 Mar 28, 2026 +2
And some republicans hosted some Dumas today, so f****** corrupt and foul.
2
AiMwithoutBoT Mar 27, 2026 +2
So why is Trump supporting someone who’s supporting the people killing Americans?
2
Reznik81 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Because he likes Putin and not the common people.  
1
copperblood Mar 27, 2026 +2
Certainly Trump will move to have the US sanction Russia and Putin now. It's not like Putin has the r*** tapes of Trump raping minors when Trump visited Moscow in the 80s and 90s and hasn't been blackmailing Trump for decades.... oh wait....
2
jeffersonianMI Mar 27, 2026 +2
Russia announced a self-sanction of gasoline shipments by April 1st. 
2
1877KlownsForKids Mar 27, 2026
This is definitely going to spin out of control to WW3. I just hope I get killed in the initial salvos.
0
Kauri1 Mar 28, 2026 +1
I thought Russia was now the USA’s friend, this was sarcasm in case it offends someone
1
LeftLane4PassingOnly Mar 28, 2026 +1
How are they getting from Russia to Iran? FedEx? Anything going to Iran right now is sure to be watched.
1
isekai_cheese Mar 27, 2026 +1
eventually, russia's tactic in launching drones en masse isn't really sustainable vs ukraine's more targeted precision approach.
1
IndividualNo69420 Mar 27, 2026
It's unironically the best way to lower Ukraine's air defence stocks.
0
bon-ton-roulet Mar 27, 2026 -2
Other countries need to join in and help too - where is Europe?
-2
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