Media: Russian components found in drone that hit UK base in Cyprus

A kamikaze drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on March 1 was equipped with Russian military hardware, British defence officials confirmed. The drone contained a Russian-made Kometa-B navigation system, previously observed in drones intercepted by Ukrainian forces in December. British military intelligence has sent recovered components to a UK laboratory for further analysis, The Times reports.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by Hezbollah militants operating from Lebanon. Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, said there is “no doubt” that Russia has been providing intelligence to Iran. “This is an axis that we need to call out. The co-operation between Iran and Russia makes their forces more capable and more dangerous, and that’s why we need to be ready,” Knighton said.

Knighton confirmed that the drone assault on RAF Akrotiri was launched by an “Iranian-aligned group.” The UK is expanding its military presence in the Middle East, including deploying HMS Dragon and placing the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on higher readiness, with the vessel potentially able to reach the Gulf in five days. The Ministry of Defence noted that capabilities including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air-defence systems, and 400 additional personnel were already deployed to Cyprus to protect British citizens and allies.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey and military sources warned that British assets, such as two Wildcat helicopters recently deployed to Cyprus, could be targeted using Russian intelligence supplied to Iran and its proxies in Lebanon and Yemen.

The discovery raises broader concerns about Moscow’s growing footprint in the Middle East. Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to the UK, stated that his country was “not neutral” in the conflict and is “supportive to Iran.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Iran’s Shahed drones contain Russian-made components and accused Moscow of supplying electronics for the drones used in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The situation comes amid escalating tensions in the region, including retaliatory strikes and drone attacks across the Gulf, highlighting the increasing risk to Western forces. Sir Keir Starmer’s government has faced criticism for the pace of its response, with Conservative figures describing it as “flat-footed” and “leaden-footed” compared with French and American military deployments.

By Vafa Guliyeva