Ukraine Charges Iranian General for Supplying Drone Engines to Russia

What Happened

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has charged Brigadier General Abdollah Mehhrabi, head of the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He is accused of facilitating military supplies to Russia, specifically Iranian engines for the production of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, involved in attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Investigations reveal that between 2022 and 2023, Mehhrabi organized the bulk delivery of MD 550 model engines to the Russian Ministry of Defense. These engines have been integrated into drone manufacturing in Russia, contributing to ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko noted that a conspiracy formed in July 2022 involving high-ranking military and political leaders from both Russia and the IRGC.

Key Details

This cooperation aimed not only to supply Iranian drones but also to localize their production within Russia. General Mehhrabi was instrumental in establishing manufacturing capabilities in Tatarstan, particularly in the city of Elabuga.

He is linked to the Iranian missile program and co-owns Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar, a company that produces engines critical for UAV operations. The military alliance between Iran and Russia includes significant agreements for equipment supply and financing, with some transactions reportedly made in gold.

Background

Reports indicate that over 13,000 Shahed-136 drones, known as Geran-2 in Russia, were delivered, alongside components valued at more than $324 million. These drones have been used in strikes across Ukraine, intensifying the conflict.

As part of the charge, General Mehhrabi faces accusations of complicity in aggressive warfare against Ukraine, per Ukrainian criminal law. The SBU continues to pursue legal actions against individuals involved in arms supplies that support attacks on Ukraine, emphasizing accountability for war crimes and violations of international law.