What's happened
Iran has transferred Fath-360 ballistic missiles to Russia, enhancing Moscow's military capabilities in Ukraine. The U.S. warns this partnership poses a significant threat to European security, as these missiles could target civilian infrastructure. Reports indicate Russian personnel have been trained in Iran to operate these systems, which may be deployed imminently.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, the Fath-360 missiles are seen as a way for Russia to bolster its firepower despite concerns over their accuracy. Nicholas Heras from the New Lines Institute noted that Russia's focus is on brute force rather than precision. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including John Kirby, have expressed deep concerns about the implications of this missile transfer for European security, emphasizing that it could lead to increased civilian casualties in Ukraine. The South China Morning Post highlighted that the U.S. considers the export of Iranian missiles to Russia a 'dramatic escalation,' reflecting the growing military ties between the two nations. This sentiment is echoed by Sky News, which reported on the training of Russian personnel in Iran to operate these missiles, indicating imminent deployment.
How we got here
The transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia marks a significant escalation in military cooperation between the two nations. This partnership has been fueled by Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and its reliance on foreign military support amid sanctions and supply chain issues.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.