Iran is preparing to supply Russia with launchers for about 400 Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, marking a new stage in military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials, who said the supplies could significantly enhance Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian positions in border areas.

According to Reuters, the Fath-360 missiles, also known as the BM-120, have a range of up to 120 km and are designed for precision tactical strikes against military targets such as logistics bases, command posts and fortifications. Developed by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization, the missiles carry 150-kilogram warheads and can travel at speeds of up to Mach XNUMX, making them a difficult target for most air defense systems except for advanced systems such as the American Patriot.

Ukrainian military sources cited by The Times confirm that the Fath-360s could be used to attack frontline cities and military installations, putting additional strain on Ukraine’s already limited air defense resources. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, 25 Patriot systems are needed to fully cover the country’s skies. The cost of one Patriot interceptor, which can range from $2 million to $4 million, is comparable to the cost of the missiles themselves, making defense against such attacks extremely expensive.

The Russian side has not yet commented on the information that has emerged.