Leaked defence industry documents obtained by a Ukrainian intelligence firm and shared with the Guardian reveal that Russia agreed to supply Iran with 90 launchers for LMUR guided missiles, weapons that Russian forces have employed extensively in operations against Ukraine. The production schedule, drawn up in May 2024 by Vympel, a major Russian missile designer, designated the contract as “K-10” and outlined deliveries scheduled between late 2024 and December 2025. Separate internal documentation explicitly identifies K-10 as the Iranian contract. However, the records do not confirm whether the launchers were ultimately delivered.
The disclosure provides insight into Russian-Iranian military cooperation at a time when Washington is evaluating policy responses following recent US elections. A separate production schedule documenting six Yak-130 jet trainers destined for Iran in 2023 aligns with publicly reported aircraft deliveries, lending credibility to the documents. Observers have identified Moscow as among the primary beneficiaries of prolonged regional conflict, gaining strategic advantages and economic benefits through elevated global energy prices resulting from shipping disruptions and infrastructure attacks.
Russia’s military partnership with Iran has expanded considerably since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when Tehran became a key supplier of Shahed attack drones that Russia subsequently began manufacturing domestically. The two nations formalized a strategic partnership agreement in 2025 that addresses shared security concerns, though it lacks the mutual defence obligations in Russia’s pact with North Korea. Moscow has been cautious about publicizing this cooperation, apparently seeking to preserve its relationship with US leadership while contending with production constraints due to war demands.
The leaked documents also highlight pressures within Russia’s defence sector. In May 2024, Vympel warned that delays in obtaining essential components threatened missile launcher assembly and risked disrupting Russian state defence contracts. Intelligence agencies in Europe have reported that Russia has provided Iran with crucial satellite imagery and data potentially supporting targeting operations, and have warned of Moscow preparing to supply explosive-laden drones. Moscow has denied supplying military equipment to Iran for current conflicts, while senior officials from both nations conducted three high-level meetings in October alone, demonstrating the relationship’s growing significance.
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