The Russia-Ukraine War began on February 24, 2022, but Iran began supplying drones to Russia as early as August. Over the past four years, Russia has utilized the Shahed-136, Shahed-131, and Mohajer-6 drones to target Ukraine's air defenses and inflict psychological and economic damage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_war).

The Russians have utilized more than 2,000 to attack Ukrainian targets, but estimates suggest that more than 5,000 Iranian-origin one-way attack drones have been used in total; others believe the number goes up to 8,000, but the total number is 57,000 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qods_Mohajer-6).

Russia uses the 136 and 131 classes of drones because of their cost-effectiveness over normal missiles. They allow the enemy to still cause major damage to Ukraine and its air defenses, but at a lower price. Throughout the war, the drones have been used to strike key infrastructure, military, and civilian areas, while also disrupting Ukraine’s energy grid, demoralizing its population, and eroding the country’s will to resist (https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/what-irans-drones-ukraine-mean-future-war).

Kyiv and other vital city centers have been consistent targets to maximize psychological impact. Iran has also aided Russia in building their own supply line of drones, making disruptions difficult. Moreover, Iran's drone supply to Russia lies in its ability to help the country sustain its campaign despite heavy losses in its conventional weaponry, and sustain the partnership between Moscow and Tehran (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian%E2%80%93Russian_Treaty_on_Comprehensive_Strategic_Partnership).

Overall, the usage of Shahed-136 and 131 drones has allowed Iran to spread its superpower to other conflicts.