Russia Is Teaching Iran How to Kill American Troops
- Russia is providing Iran with specific drone attack tactics tested in Ukraine, including Shahed swarming strategies and electronic intelligence on US radar systems, according to CNN.
- Multiple US officials confirmed Russia began sharing satellite imagery showing locations of American warships, aircraft, and radar systems within days of the war starting February 28, the Washington Post reported.
- The Pentagon says it is “not concerned” by the intelligence sharing, while Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said the US should “take Russia at their word.”
On March 11, 2026, CNN reported that Russia has escalated from general intelligence sharing to providing Iran with specific drone attack tactics battle-tested against Ukraine. These are the exact Shahed swarming strategies that overwhelmed Ukrainian air defenses: multiple drones flying in coordinated formations, course changes to elude interceptors, and accepting 75% loss rates to achieve saturation.
Five days earlier, the Washington Post broke that Russia had begun sharing locations of American forces. Four US officials confirmed the intelligence sharing on the record.
The Pentagon says it is not concerned. Steve Witkoff says we should take Russia at their word. But the targeting data is specific enough to kill American soldiers.
The Ukraine Playbook
Russia is not just providing general support. It is transferring the precise tactical knowledge that devastated Ukrainian cities.
Western intelligence sources told CNN that Russia is sharing “advanced drone tactics” including:
- Shahed swarming strategies using multiple coordinated drones
- Electronic intelligence on US radar systems and their vulnerabilities
- Satellite targeting data on American warships and aircraft positions
- Course-change protocols to evade interceptor missiles
The tactics mirror Russia’s campaign against Ukraine. CSIS analysis shows Russia launched over 2,400 Shahed drones against Ukrainian targets between September 2022 and March 2024. Ukraine intercepted roughly 80% of them. But the 20% that got through destroyed power plants, hospitals, and apartment buildings.
Russia accepted massive drone losses to overwhelm air defenses. The strategy worked because Ukraine couldn’t intercept everything simultaneously.
Iran is now applying the same math against American forces.
The Targeting Data
The intelligence sharing began within days of the February 28 strikes on Iran. NBC News confirmed that Russia provided satellite imagery showing:
- Exact locations of US warships in the Persian Gulf
- Positions of American aircraft at regional bases
- Radar system locations and coverage gaps
- Electronic signatures of US defensive systems
This is targeting intelligence designed to kill Americans. Three US officials told the Washington Post the data was detailed enough to plan precision strikes.
Euromaidan Press reported the intelligence flow represents a complete reversal of the Ukraine dynamic. For two years, Iran supplied Russia with drones to attack Ukrainian forces. Now Russia is providing the targeting data for Iranian drones to attack American forces.
The Pentagon’s response has been muted. Defense officials told Al Jazeera they are “not concerned” by the intelligence sharing and characterized it as expected behavior.
The Denial Chain
Russia denies everything. Iran requests nothing. The Pentagon downplays the threat.
CNBC reported that Russia told Trump directly it has not shared intelligence with Iran during the war. Special envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration should “take Russia at their word” despite the contradicting intelligence reports.
The Kremlin’s position is that Iran has made no formal request for military assistance. The Moscow Times confirmed Russian officials maintain they are providing no direct support to Tehran’s war effort.
But four US officials confirmed the opposite on the record. RFE/RL analysis notes the contradiction: “If Russia wants to stay on Washington’s good side, why help Iran target US forces?”
The answer may be that Russia is not trying to stay on Washington’s good side. Carnegie Endowment analysis suggests Russia sees an opportunity to bleed American forces without direct confrontation.
Ukraine is now providing drone interceptors to counter Iranian attacks. The same Ukrainian systems that defend against Russian Shaheds are being deployed to defend American forces against Iranian Shaheds guided by Russian intelligence.
The circle is complete. Russia taught Iran how to build the drones. Now Russia is teaching Iran how to use them against Americans.
That is not neutrality. That is proxy warfare.
