This product provides a visual comparison of UAVs used by 

Russian forces in Ukraine and Iranian UAVs used to attack 

U.S. and partner interests in the Middle East. Photos of UAV 

debris and components from Ukraine are consistent with 

systems showcased at military expos and other venues 

in the Middle East. This analysis confirms Russia’s use of 

various Iranian lethal UAVs in its war in Ukraine.

Visualization: DIA, D3 Design • 2308-37696 

ICOD: 7 August 2023

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Source: EPA Images 

Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison

AUGUST 2023 UPDATE
For more information about the Defense Intelligence Agency and to view this report, visit DIA’s website at www.dia.mil 

For media and public inquires about this report, contact DIA Public Affairs at DIA-PAO@dodiis.mil

Information cutoff date: 10 August 2023

Cover Image: An Iranian-origin UAV is seen flying over Kyiv, Ukraine, during an attack on 17 October 2022

Image Source: EPA Images

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This report contains copyrighted material. Copying and disseminating the contents are prohibited without the permission of the copyright 

owners. Images and other previously published material featured or referenced in this publication are attributed to their source.
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

3

The Story So Far

In mid-2022, Iran provided Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to sustain Moscow’s ability to attack Ukraine after severely depleting its own stores of precision-guided munitions in the war’s opening months. 

Since then, Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of one-way attack UAVs for its war in Ukraine. Ample evidence of such transfers has been provided to the public, but Iran continues to deny these UAVs were Iranian 

in origin. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has collected actual debris from attacks in Ukraine and the Middle East that we have presented in the following pages to clearly prove Iran’s support to Russia.

JUL 2022

Russian delegation visits Iran 

to examine Iranian UAVs

JUL 2022

White House says Iran is preparing 

to transfer UAVs to Russia

SEP 2022

First use of Iranian UAVs by Russian 

military forces to attack Ukraine

OCT 2022

Iran’s Foreign Minister denies providing 

Russia with UAVs to use against Ukraine

MAY 2023

National Security Council highlights 

deepening Iran-Russia military cooperation

MAY/JUN 2023

The United Kingdom submits 

report to UN providing evidence 

of Iranian support to Russia

JUN 2023

White House announces Iran is helping 

Russia establish a UAV production facility

JUN/JUL 2023

The United States, Albania, France, the United Kingdom, 

and Ukraine urge the UN Security Council to 

investigate Russia’s use of Iranian UAVs in Ukraine

2022 2023

JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG

AUG 2023

Recovered UAVs are displayed at DIA to offer 

undeniable proof that UAVs found in the Middle East 

and Ukraine share a common point of origin: Iran

Source: U.S. Government Source: Wikimedia Commons Source: U.S. Government

Source: Wikimedia Commons Source: Wikimedia Commons

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Source: Wikimedia Commons Source: U.S. Government

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

4

The Iranian-origin Shahed-131, renamed Geran-1 by the Russians, has a delta-wing body shape similar to the Shahed-136 (Geran-2), but the vertical stabilizers extend only 

above the body. Recovered components in Ukraine and the Middle East appear to be very similar; some components even fractured in the same manner after impact.1 2

Shahed-131 (Geran-1) One-Way Attack UAV Comparison

Underside view

Side view

Topside view

Shahed-131 recovered in the Middle East, 2021

Ukraine Middle East

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showcased a Shahed-131 (Geran-1) 

recovered in Ukraine, 27 October 2022

Source: President of Ukraine official website 

Source: U.S. Government 

Selected points of comparison: 

Engine Wing stabilizer Fuselage Nose cone Antenna array

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

5

In August 2023, DIA publicly displayed debris from the Shahed-131s (Geran-1s) used in Ukraine in fall 2022 side by side with a Shahed-131 recovered in Iraq in 2021. The systems are the same size and shape and 

were built using similar materials and subcomponents. The Shahed-131s (Geran-1s) from Ukraine and the Shahed-131 from Iraq also share the same honeycomb-like structure within the airframe.

Side by Side–The Geran-1 and the Shahed-131

 Ukraine Middle East

Source: U.S. Government 

Honeycomb Structure

Honeycomb structure

Winglet detail Winglet detail

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

6

A Clear Iranian Connection

On 28 September 2022, Iran conducted and then publicly claimed a missile and UAV attack against the Kurds in northern Iraq, enabling DIA to remove doubt about the origin of the UAVs recovered from the strike. 

The UAVs recovered from Iraq were Shahed-131s, which match Shahed-131s (Geran-1s) recovered in Ukraine in fall 2022. Nearly identical UAV components appearing at the same time in two separate conflicts 

thousands of miles apart, with Iran publicly claiming responsibility for one of the UAVs, leads to the conclusion that both of these systems are Iranian in origin.

Iran conducted 

a missile and 

UAV attack in 

northern Iraq, 

September 2022

Iran publicly 

claimed 

responsibility 

for the attack, 

September 2022

Components 

recovered in 

Ukraine, 

October 2022

Ukrainian 

President 

Zelenskyy 

showcased a 

Shahed-131 

(Geran-1) used by 

Russian forces to 

attack Ukraine, 

October 2022

Kyiv after a Russian 

attack using Iranian 

UAVs, October 2022

Source: President of Ukraine Official Website 

Source: Ukrainian War Crimes Prosecutors 

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Source: Tasnim News

Source: Tasnim News

Components 

recovered in Iraq, 

September 2022

Source: U.S. Government

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

7

The wing stabilizers on the Shahed-131 (Geran-1) recovered in Ukraine are consistent with the wing stabilizers on the Shahed-131 recovered from an 

Iranian-claimed attack in Iraq. Notably, both wing stabilizers have the nearly identical material resembling a honeycomb on the inside of the stabilizer.

Shahed-131 Wing Stabilizers

 Ukraine Middle East

Shahed-131 (Geran-1) 

wing stabilizer recovered 

in Ukraine, Fall 2022

Shahed-131 wing 

stabilizer recovered 

from a 2022 attack in 

Iraq that Iran claimed

Underside of the 

Shahed-131 (Geran-1) 

recovered in Ukraine 

showing distinctive 

honeycomb design

Shahed-131 wing stabilizer 

from Iranian-claimed 

attack in Iraq 

showing distinctive 

honeycomb design

Source: U.S. Government Source: U.S. Government 

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

8

The Shahed-131 (Geran-1) engines recovered in Ukraine are nearly identical to engines recovered from the September 2022 Iranian-claimed attack in Iraq.

Recovered Shahed-131 (Geran-1) Engine

 Ukraine Middle East

Selected points 

of comparison: 

Wooden propeller

Crank shaft

Hex screw

Distinctive 

housing feature

Engine mount

Source: U.S. Government 

Source: U.S. Government Source: U.S. Government 

Source: U.S. Government 

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

9

Shahed-131 (Geran-1) UAV components recovered from debris in Ukraine are consistent with Shahed-131 components 

recovered from the September 2022 Iranian-claimed attack in Iraq.3

Recovered Shahed-131 (Geran-1) Components

Middle East

Recovered after Iranian-claimed attack in Iraq, September 2022

Wing stabilizer

Similar 

components:

Compartment 

cover

Engine throttle 

body

Processing module 

case cover

Relay board

Processing 

module case

Rotary engine

Ukraine

Recovered in Kyiv, Ukraine, October 2022

Source: Ukrainian War Crimes Prosecutors Source: U.S. Government 

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

10

Underside view

Side view

Topside view

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) spotted over Kyiv, Ukraine, moments before 

impact, October 2022

Shahed-136 from an Iranian video of military exercises 

in Iran, April 2021

Shahed-136 displayed by the Huthis in Yemen

Underside of a Shahed-136 (Geran-2) spotted over Kyiv, Ukraine, October 2022

Ukraine Middle East

Source: AFP 

Source: AFP Source: YouTube 

Source: Yemeni Military Media 

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) One-Way Attack UAV Comparison

The Iranian-origin Shahed-136, renamed Geran-2 by the Russians, has a distinctive shape, with a delta-wing body and vertical stabilizers extending above and below the body, as displayed in Iranian press and 

military expos. Iran used Shahed-136 UAVs in the 2021 attack against the merchant vessel Mercer Street and has also transferred this system to the Huthis in Yemen. The Huthis have not used this system in an 

attack to date but have displayed it publicly. The images circulating in open press of UAVs in Ukraine clearly show the features of the Shahed-136’s delta-wing body and vertical stabilizers.4 5 6

Selected points of comparison: 

Engine Wing stabilizer Air data collection Fuselage Nose cone

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

11

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) wing stabilizers recovered in Ukraine are consistent with the size, shape, and markings of the Shahed-136 wing stabilizers observed or recovered in the Middle East.7 8 

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) Wing Stabilizer

A123

Ukraine Middle East

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) 

wing stabilizer recovered 

in Ukraine, October 2022

Shahed-136 wing stabilizer 

recovered from the attack 

on the merchant vessel 

Pacific Zircon, November 2022

Shahed-136 UAVs 

preparing for launch 

from truck platform 

during IRGC Aerospace 

Force exercise in Iran, 

December 2021

Source: Reuters Source: IMA Media 

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) 

wing stabilizer recovered 

in Ukraine, September 2022 

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Selected points of comparison: 

Stabilizer shape

Serial number

Winglet

Edge of delta wing

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

12

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) Engine

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) engines recovered in Ukraine appear to be Iranian-produced MADO-550 engines, the same engine model used in the Shahed-136.9

 Ukraine Middle East

Shahed-136 (Geran-2) engine recovered in Ukraine, October 2022 MADO-550 engine displayed at the Iranian National Aerospace Exhibition, October 2014

Source: Ukrainska Pravda Source: Iranian Military Forum 

Selected points 

of comparison: 

Ring gear

Starter

Exhaust

Heat sink and 

ignition components

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

13

 The Iranian-origin Mohajer 6 has been displayed publicly in Iran and Iraq, and it can be easily identified by its distinctive tail, as well as by the attached 

surveillance equipment and guided munitions. In October, Ukraine captured a mostly intact Mohajer 6 from the Black Sea, and it appears to be indistinguishable 

from the Mohajer 6 systems photographed in Iran and Iraq. Components recovered from the wreckage display very similar markings to those observed in Iran.10 11 12

Mohajer 6 Multirole UAV Comparison

 Ukraine Middle East

 Mohajer 6 displayed in Iran, February 2018

Iranian guided munition displayed at a 

military expo, August 2022

Guided munition 

recovered from Mohajer 6, 

October 2022 

Mohajer 6 recovered from the Black Sea, October 2022

Source: Twitter Source: Mehr News Agency 

Source: Twitter Source: Twitter Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Selected points 

of comparison: 

Horizontal stabilizer

Serial number

Landing gear wheel

Surveillance 

equipment

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Iranian UAVs in Ukraine: A Visual Comparison–August 2023 Update

14

Source Endnotes

1

 PRESS RELEASE, UKRAININAN GOVERNMENT; 27 OCT 2022; TODAY WE REMEMBER THE EXPULSION OF THE NAZIS, 

APPROACHING THE EXPULSION OF THE RASHISTS – ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE; URL: HTTPS://WWW.

PRESIDENT.GOV.UA/EN/NEWS/SOGODNI-MI-ZGADUYEMO-VIGNNNYA-NACISTIV-NABLIZHAYUCHI-VIGNAN-78753.

2

 PRESS RELEASE, UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT; 13 OCT 2022; PROSECUTORS, TOGETHER WITH REPRESENTATIVES 

OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, RECORD ANOTHER CRIME OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY - AN ATTACK 

ON THE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE KYIV REGION; URL: HTTPS://GP.GOV.﻿UA/UA/POSTS/

PROKURORI-SPILNO-Z-PREDSTAVNIKAMI-MKS-FIKSUYUT-CERGOVII-ZLOCIN-VIISKOVIX-RF-ATAKU-NA-ENERGETICNU-INFRASTRUKTURU-KIYIVSHHINI.

3

 PRESS RELEASE, UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT; 13 OCT 2022; (U) PROSECUTORS, TOGETHER WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, RECORD ANOTHER CRIME OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY - AN 

ATTACK ON THE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE KYIV REGION; URL: HTTPS://GP.GOV.﻿UA/UA/POSTS/

PROKURORI-SPILNO-Z-PREDSTAVNIKAMI-MKS-FIKSUYUT-CERGOVII-ZLOCIN-VIISKOVIX-RF-ATAKU-NA-ENERGETICNU-INFRASTRUKTURU-KIYIVSHHINI.

4

 ARTICLE, THE DRIVE; THOMAS NEWDICK, TYLER ROGOWAY; 13 SEP 2022; RUSSIA HAS BEGUN 

USING IRANIAN KAMIKAZE DRONES ON UKRAINE; HTTPS://WWW.THEDRIVE.COM/THE-WAR-ZONE/

RUSSIA-HAS-BEGUN-USING-IRANIAN-KAMIKAZE-DRONES-ON-UKRAINE.

5

 ARTICLE, ORYX; MAR 2021; HOUTHI REBELS UNVEIL HOST OF WEAPONRY; URL: 

HTTPS://WWW.ORYXSPIOENKOP.COM/2021/03/HOUTHI-REBELS-UNVEIL-HOST-OF-WEAPONRY.HTML.

6

 UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE – THE IRAN PRIMER; 06 AUG 2021; CENTCOM: 

IRAN BEHIND DRONE ATTACK ON TANKER; URL: HTTPS://IRANPRIMER.USIP.ORG/BLOG/2021/AUG/10/

CENTCOM-IRAN-BEHIND-DRONE-ATTACK-TANKER.

7

 ARTICLE, MEHR NEWS; APR 2022; TITLE UNKNOWN.

8

 UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE – THE IRAN PRIMER; 06 AUG 2021; CENTCOM: IRAN 

BEHIND DRONE ATTACK ON TANKER; URL: HTTPS://IRANPRIMER.USIP.ORG/BLOG/2021/AUG/10/

CENTCOM-IRAN-BEHIND-DRONE-ATTACK-TANKER.

9

 ARTICLE, USKOWI ON IRAN; 25 NOV 2014; TAKEAWAYS FROM IRANIAN NATIONAL AEROSPACE EXHIBITION 2014; 

URL: HTTPS://WWW.USKOWIONIRAN.COM/2014/11/TAKEAWAYS-FROM-IRANIAN-NATIONAL.﻿HTML.

10 ARTICLE, JANES DEFENCE WEEKLY; JEREMY BINNIE; 13 JUL 2022; CUT-PRICE CAPABILITY: THE PROLIFERATION 

OF IRANIAN ATTACK UAVS.

11 ARTICLE, MEHR NEWS AGENCY; 05 FEB 2018; IRAN STARTS MASS PRODUCTION OF 

ADVANCED DRONE MOHAJER-6; URL: HTTPS://EN.MEHRNEWS.COM/PHOTO/131926/

IRAN-STARTS-MASS-PRODUCTION-OF-ADVANCED-DRONE-MOHAJER-6.

12 ARTICLE, PAKISTAN DEFENCE; FEB 2018; IRAN STARTS MASS PRODUCTION OF MOHAJER 

6 UCAV, QAEM SMART GUIDED BOMB [PIC]; URL: HTTPS://DEFENCE.PK/PDF/THREADS/

IRAN-STARTS-MASS-PRODUCTION-OF-MOHAJER-6-UCAV-QAEM-SMART-GUIDED-BOMB-PIC.542732/.

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
www.dia.mil