Ukraine says downed Iranian-made drones

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Ukraine says downed Iranian-made drones

Ukraine said on Friday that it had downed four Iranian-made kamikaze drones used by Russia's armed forces, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to complain that Tehran was harming Ukrainian citizens.

Military authorities in southern Ukraine said in a statement they had shot down the Shahed 136 unmanned aerial vehicles over the sea near the port of Odesa.

Iran has accused the United States of providing drones to Russia, something Tehran has denied. Zelenskiy asked his foreign ministry to respond to the use of Iranian equipment, spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said.

Such actions by Iran are considered a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and also against the lives and well-being of Ukrainian citizens, he said.

Military experts say the drones would be useful to Russia for both reconnaissance and loitering munitions that can bide their time in locating and engaging suitable targets.