“A MOUNTAIN OF LIES”: Kremlin Doubles Down on Denials of Drone Shipments
MOSCOW — For the second time in eight days, the Kremlin has forcefully dismissed international reports that it is supplying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with advanced weaponry. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled a new Financial Times report—which claimed Russia is finalizing a phased shipment of attack drones—as “lies” and urged the public to “pay no attention” to Western media narratives.
The denial highlights the growing tension between Moscow’s official stance of “humanitarian support” and Western intelligence that suggests a deepening military axis in the Middle East.
The Current Denial (March 26, 2026)
The latest firestorm was ignited by a report citing Western intelligence that Russia is delivering Geran-2 and Shahed-136 drones to Tehran to replenish stockpiles decimated by four weeks of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
- Peskov’s Response: “There are so many lies being spread by the media… Do not pay attention to them,” Peskov told reporters during a press briefing in Moscow.
- The “Dialogue” Defense: While denying lethal aid, Peskov emphasized that Russia is continuing its “active dialogue” with the Iranian leadership, which Moscow maintains is focused on regional stability and humanitarian corridors.
- The “Fakes” Label: Peskov specifically used the term “fakes” to describe allegations that Russia is returning the favor for the thousands of drones Iran provided for the war in Ukraine.
A Pattern of “Fake News” Dismissals
This is not the first time the Kremlin has used this language during the 27-day conflict.
| Date | Report Source | Allegation | Kremlin Response |
| March 18, 2026 | Wall Street Journal | Russia sharing satellite imagery and advanced drone tech to help Iran target U.S. ships. | “Fake News” |
| March 20, 2026 | Politico | Russia offered a quid pro quo: end Iran intel sharing if U.S. stops helping Ukraine. | “False Reports” |
| March 26, 2026 | Financial Times | Russia delivering a “phased shipment” of drones, medicine, and food. | “Lies” |
The “Intelligence Sharing” Offer
Adding to the complexity, reports surfaced last week that the Kremlin proposed a strategic trade: Moscow would stop sharing targeting data with Iran if the Trump administration agreed to halt intelligence support for Ukraine. This reported offer was allegedly delivered in Miami by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev to U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, though Washington reportedly rejected the proposal.
Why the Drones Matter Now
Military analysts at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) suggest that Iran is no longer seeking quantity, but quality.
- “Better Drones”: Having lost major production facilities to U.S. “surgical” strikes, Tehran is reportedly seeking Russian-made versions of their own technology that feature improved anti-jamming capabilities and more resilient guidance systems.
- The Ukraine Connection: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on March 24 that Kyiv has “irrefutable evidence” of this hardware transfer, arguing that the two wars are now inextricably linked.
What’s Next?
As the Friday, March 27 deadline (sunrise) approaches, the presence of Russian hardware in Iran remains a major “red line” for the White House. If the U.S. moves to a “Total Infrastructure Phase” tomorrow, any Russian military personnel or assets on the ground in Iran would face immediate and extreme risk, potentially bringing the two nuclear powers into a direct kinetic confrontation.