Summary and What You Need to Know: Russia has turned to Iran and North Korea for military aid amid its invasion of Ukraine, facing international sanctions and isolation. Iran recently provided Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, enhancing Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian targets near the frontlines.

-The Fath-360 missile, capable of being fired from various mobile launchers, joins other Iranian military supplies like Shahed suicide drones and artillery munitions.

-This deepens the military relationship between Russia and Iran and raises the argument for allowing Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons like the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System to counter these threats.

Iran Supplies Russia with Fath-360 Missiles for Ukraine Conflict

The illegal invasion of Ukraine has made Russia an international pariah. Dozens of countries have shut their airspace to Russian aircraft, while international economic sanctions have dented the Russian economy. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin advisers have turned to particular foreign states for help. The names on the list don’t reflect well on Russia. Iran and North Korea have been providing key military supplies to the Russian military so it can keep fighting in Ukraine.

In its latest batch of military assistance, Iran has sent hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. 

Iranian Fath-360 Ballistic Missiles in Russian Service 

In its latest estimate of the war, British Military Intelligence assessed that “Iran has recently delivered Fath-360 close range ballistic missiles to Russia.”

The Fath-360 missile debuted in 2020. It packs a 330 lbs warhead and has an operational range of approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers). The Iranians claim good accuracy for the munition, with an impact point of less than 100 feet. The munition is quite flexible and can be fired by a variety of mobile launchers, including multiple launch missile systems that can fire several missiles in one go. 

“To date, Iranian military aid to Russia’s campaign in Ukraine has included the supply of hundreds of one-way attack (OWA) uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), artillery munitions and extensive support to Russian OWA UAV domestic production,” British Military Intelligence added. 

Russian forces have used Iranian Shahed suicide drones profusely against targets in Ukraine. Although exact numbers are not known, the Russian military has launched thousands of Iranian drones against Ukrainian urban centers and critical infrastructure as part of Moscow’s long-range missile campaign. 

“The supply of ballistic missiles represents a further deepening of Iran’s and Russia’s military relationship,” British Military Intelligence stated.

The munition is also known as BM-120. Due to its rather limited range, the Russian military will most likely use the Iranian weapon against Ukrainian military units or fortifications near the frontlines. 

“The supply of Iranian ballistic missiles will supplement and enhance Russia’s ability to conduct precision strikes against Ukrainian military or civilian infrastructure targets close to front lines, whilst also enabling Russia to preserve more of its longer-range capabilities for use against targets deeper inside Ukraine,” British Military Intelligence concluded. 

The transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia helps validate the argument for allowing Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons such as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System and Storm Shadow cruise missile as it sees fit. 

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

Images are Creative Commons/Shutterstock of Patriot missile systems.