Russia Provided Iran with Intelligence on Israel's Energy Infrastructure, Says Zelensky

On April 5, 2026, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a significant announcement regarding the military collaboration between Russia and Iran. He stated that Russia has provided Iran with satellite reconnaissance that encompasses over 50 energy facilities in Israel. This revelation forms part of a series of Ukrainian claims asserting that Russia is actively supporting Tehran in the military domain.

Zelensky emphasized in his Telegram post that "Russia is aiding Iran in carrying out attacks. This is civilian infrastructure that has no military purpose." These remarks were made during an interview with the Associated Press, which took place on Saturday, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In his comments, the Ukrainian president drew parallels between the current situation and the experiences of living under Russian bombardments in Ukraine, where the enemy deliberately targets energy networks and water supply systems. "This reminds us of life under Russian bombings in Ukraine, where they attempt to destroy our energy infrastructure," he added, highlighting the shared vulnerabilities faced by both nations.

Since the commencement of military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, Ukraine has repeatedly asserted that Russia is sharing intelligence with Tehran. On March 23, Zelensky reported that Ukraine possesses "irrefutable evidence" that Russia is providing intelligence data to Iran, citing information from Ukrainian military intelligence.

According to information published by Politico, Russia has acknowledged this agreement. On March 20, reports indicated that Russia proposed to cease intelligence sharing with Iran in exchange for the United States halting its intelligence exchanges with Kyiv.

American intelligence is critically important for the Ukrainian army, as it is utilized to identify Russian military targets and to provide warnings about approaching drone and missile attacks. This underscores the strategic significance of intelligence in the ongoing conflict.

Earlier, on March 7, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the threat posed by the intelligence exchange between Russia and Iran, asserting that "it doesn't make a big difference." His comments reflect a broader debate about the implications of such military collaborations.

In recent years, Russia and Iran have deepened their cooperation, particularly following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, during which Tehran began supplying drones and other military equipment to Russian armed forces. This partnership has raised alarms within the international community regarding regional security.

The Iranian Shahed drones, which Russia is now manufacturing domestically, pose a significant threat to Ukraine. Daily, Russia launches waves of drones inspired by Iranian technology into Ukrainian territories, exacerbating the ongoing conflict and civilian suffering.

Moreover, Iran has attacked oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz using Shahed drones, leading to a collapse of traffic through this narrow maritime channel as insurers began to hesitate in providing coverage. The reduction in traffic through the Strait, a crucial artery for global oil and gas flows, has resulted in a sharp increase in energy prices, further destabilizing the market.

Zelensky underscored that "all the experience that Russia has gained during the war against Ukraine is being passed on to Iran," indicating the seriousness of the threat posed by the collaboration between these two nations. This evolving alliance not only threatens regional stability but also has far-reaching implications for global security and energy markets.