US: Iranian troops in Crimea backing Russian drone strikes

Mr Zelenskyy said last week that Russia had ordered 2,400 from Iran

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby (AP)

The White House has said Iranian troops are “directly engaged on the ground” in Crimea supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine’s power stations and other key infrastructure.

The US administration claimed it has troubling evidence of Tehran’s deepening role assisting Russia as it exacts suffering on Ukrainian civilians just as the cold weather sets in.