Russian army uses Iranian 122mm shells
30 June, 2023 Iranian 122mm shells in the Russian army, 2023. Image: Ukraine Weapons Tracker In the war against Ukraine, Russian invasion troops are using Iranian 122mm artillery rounds.
The photos of these rounds were published by Ukraine Weapons Tracker analysts. According to markings on the ammunition, they were manufactured in 2023. Russia may have purchased at least 40 thousand rounds for its own 122mm artillery from Iran.
A box with an Iranian-made 122mm projectile in the Russian army, 2023.
Image: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
The photo portrays boxes with markings and the latest Iranian-made high-explosive ammunition for D-30 howitzers.
Iranian 122mm projectile in the Russian army, 2023. Image: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
In early June, British media disclosed documents indicating that Iran was supplying weapons to Russia for the invasion war against Ukraine. Sky News got acquainted with the alleged contract between Tehran and Moscow, according to which Iran had sold the Russians various types of ammunition for more than £1 million.
The 15-page document, which dates back to September 14, 2022, refers to the supply to Russia of artillery and tank rounds, as well as missiles.
Page from the contract between the Russian Federation and Iran for the supply of ammunition. Image: Sky News
In addition to the contract, various positions of the agreement are listed. In particular, on the supply of components of 122mm and 152mm artillery munitions.
According to one of the pages of the agreement, the aggressor state could purchase at least 40,000 122mm and 14 thousand 152mm artillery rounds from Iran.
Chinese-made 152mm artillery round in the Russian army, probably supplied by Iran.
2023. Image: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
Ukraine Weapons Tracker also showed photos and 152mm artillery rounds that Russia had received from abroad.
Chinese-made 152mm artillery round in the Russian army, probably supplied by Iran.
2023. Image: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
Analysts suggest that these are 1986 Chinese-made shells that were delivered to Iran more than 30 years ago.
Judging by the photo and marking on the box, the ammunition was repaired due to its age by the Iranian defense industry in 2018 and received new Iranian-made propellant charges.
Now it is supplied to the Russian army within the framework of interstate military cooperation between the Russian Federation and Iran.
In April, The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials from the Middle East, reported that over the past six months, Iran had supplied Russia with about 300 thousand artillery rounds and a million other ammunition.