Iran-Russia drone deal gets new momentum with latter's new plans

The British defence secretary has warned Russia is planning to "provide Iran with advanced military components" in exchange for "kamikaze drones". 

In a statement in the Commons, Ben Wallace said Iran was one of Russia's "top military backers", Sky News reports.

He said Russia's intention to provide the components would undermine "both Middle East and international security".

"We must expose that deal. In fact, I have just now."

Iran has supplied more than 300 drones to Russia for use in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 

Although Iran has acknowledged supplying the weapons, it said they were sent before the war. 

The UK, US and EU have sanctioned Iranian military figures and defence manufacturers over their alleged involvement in the supply of drones. 

Mr Wallace also said in his statement that the UK will donate thousands of cold weather kits to Ukrainian soldiers, and has already sent 900 generators to help the country prepare for winter. 

"The UK has so far donated 900 generators to Ukraine and sent approximately 15,000 sets of extreme cold weather kit to the Ukrainian armed forces including cold weather clothing, heavy duty sleeping bags, and insulated tents," he said.

"We anticipate 10,000 further cold weather kits will be delivered by Christmas. Across the international community, about 1.23 million winter kit items have been deployed to Ukraine."