Ukraine intercepts Iranian-made drones ahead of NATO summit

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ukrainian armed forces on Tuesday announced they had intercepted at least 26 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia towards the country in an overnight attack, as NATO leaders prepare to discuss Kyiv’s future membership during a Vilnius summit.

At least 28 Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones were fired towards Ukraine from southeast Russia in the early hours of Sunday, with Ukrainian air forces successfully shooting down all but two of the UAVs, according to a statement from Ukraine’s air force of the armed forces.

The attack comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, expecting a clear invitation to join the military alliance. Ihor Zhovkva, Zelensky’s chief diplomatic advisor, said in late June that the president will not travel to the summit if the leaders do not show “courage” in starting Kyiv’s accession process.

“I am confident that we will make a strong and united decision on Ukraine, both to sustain and step up our support. I am also confident that on the membership issue the allies will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the summit’s opening conversation on Tuesday.

Ukraine has been fighting a Russian invasion for over 500 days. Zelensky in September formally announced Kyiv’s application to join NATO, asking for an “accelerated accession”, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced annexing four Ukrainian regions.

Iran has been accused of supplying Russia with drones for use against Ukraine, leading to a barrage of international sanctions and condemnations. Tehran has repeatedly denied involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, but has admitted to supplying Moscow with drones before its invasion of Ukraine.

In May, the Ukrainian parliament approved a resolution submitted by Zelensky to impose sanctions on Iran for a period of 50 years.