Russia and Iran: The Dysfunctional Duo of Destruction

6 min readJan 18, 2025

You know, if Russia and Iran were a sitcom, it’d be called “How Not to Run a War Room.” This pair of international troublemakers has taken the art of destabilization to a whole new level, cobbling together Shahed-136 drones like kids in a junkyard science fair. But instead of winning ribbons, they’re winning global condemnation — and a whole lot of ridicule. Let’s break it down.

1. Reverse Engineering: The Art of Cutting Corners

When it comes to Russia’s attempt at recreating Iran’s Shahed-136 drones, calling it “reverse engineering” is generous. It’s more like trying to build IKEA furniture without the manual — or the right screws.

a. Dependence on Western Tech

The Shahed-136 is supposed to be a symbol of Iran’s ingenuity, but guess what? Most of its brains come from Western technology. Semiconductors, microcontrollers, RF modules — you name it, they didn’t make it. Russia, meanwhile, is trying to replicate this “masterpiece” with parts it can’t even source legally. Talk about secondhand destruction.

Nasir Module Mysteries: This fancy GPS and inertial navigation combo makes the Shahed-136 tricky to jam. But replicating it in Russia? Not so much. Without the tech or talent, their Geran-2 is more like a “barely functioning version” of the original.
Quality Optional: Thanks to sanctions, Russia’s stuck using knockoff components. The result? A drone that’s more likely to crash into a tree than hit its target.

2. The Black Market Circus

Russia and Iran have turned illegal procurement into an Olympic sport, except the judges are the UN, and they’re not impressed.

a. Sanction Evasion Shenanigans

Both countries have mastered the art of sneaking around sanctions. Need semiconductors or RF modules? Just find a middleman in a country that doesn’t ask too many questions. It’s like they’re playing a global game of hide-and-seek — with the rulebook tossed out the window.

b. Alabuga’s Assembly Line of Mediocrity

Russia’s Alabuga facility is supposed to be a hub of drone production. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Of the 130 components needed for a Shahed-136 clone, only 4 are made locally. The rest? Imported through shady deals and desperation. And let’s not even talk about the labor practices — because apparently, neither do they.

3. Manufacturing Failures: Sloppy, Shady, and Slow

Russia and Iran’s production efforts aren’t just a disaster — they’re a case study in how not to build drones.

a. Exploitation Meets Incompetence

Reports from Alabuga describe workers being lured under false pretenses, only to find themselves assembling weapons of war. And these aren’t exactly aerospace engineers. The drones rolling off this line are as reliable as a knockoff Rolex.

b. Subpar Systems

Russia’s Geran-2 drones are so poorly made that Ukraine’s air defenses treat them like target practice. When even the defenders are calling your drones “predictable,” you know you’ve hit a new low.

4. Civilian Targeting: Cheap Destruction, Priceless Misery

If there’s one thing Russia and Iran are good at, it’s targeting civilians. Schools, hospitals, power grids — nothing’s off-limits for these guys.

a. Breaking All the Rules

The Shahed-136 isn’t just a drone; it’s a flying violation of international law. Deployed en masse to terrorize civilians, these drones have one goal: chaos. Humanitarian laws? Never heard of them.

b. Economic Warfare

At $20,000 a pop, Shahed drones are dirt cheap compared to the million-dollar interceptors needed to stop them. It’s economic warfare, plain and simple — because when you can’t win with quality, you drown your opponent in quantity.

5. Geopolitical Fallout: The World Watches (and Condemns)

Russia and Iran’s bromance is a match made in geopolitical hell. Together, they’re not just destabilizing Ukraine — they’re shaking the global order.

a. Dangerous Alliances

This isn’t just about drones. Russia and Iran are rumored to be swapping notes on ballistic missiles and nuclear technology. If that doesn’t make you nervous, you’re not paying attention.

b. Proliferation Problems

Let’s not forget the ripple effect. More drones mean more chances for these weapons to end up in the hands of terrorists or rogue states. Great job, guys — what could possibly go wrong?

6. The World Responds: Enough is Enough

The international community is finally catching on to this circus act, and it’s time for some accountability.

a. Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions

The EU and U.S. are stepping up with sanctions targeting Iranian officials and entities involved in drone production. But it’s not enough. The pressure needs to intensify until this partnership of chaos crumbles.

b. Cyber Smackdowns

Why stop at sanctions? Target their production facilities with cyber operations and disrupt their shady supply chains. If they want to play dirty, the world can show them how it’s done.

c. Diplomatic Exile

Russia and Iran’s actions have isolated them from the global stage, but it’s time to turn that isolation into a full-blown cold shoulder. No deals, no loopholes, no excuses.

Conclusion: When Mediocrity Meets Malice

Russia and Iran’s drone partnership is a masterclass in mediocrity and malice. Their efforts to mass-produce Shahed-136 drones are riddled with technical failures, logistical nightmares, and ethical atrocities. But let’s be clear: this isn’t just incompetence — it’s calculated chaos aimed at prolonging conflict and undermining global stability.

The world can’t afford to sit back and watch this dumpster fire burn. It’s time to turn up the heat on these bad actors and ensure their “cheap destruction” strategy comes at a steep cost. Because if this is their idea of modern warfare, it’s up to the rest of us to remind them what accountability looks like.

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