Russia is strengthening its defenses against potential drone attacks by deploying advanced air defense systems and sophisticated electronic jamming technologies, aiming to safeguard key economic assets, especially critical infrastructure.
Recent reports indicate that drones have targeted important sites across Russia, including oil refineries and other major energy infrastructure.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), a Russian military expert explained that multiple layers of defense are in place to track and intercept incoming drones.
"Generally speaking, modern defense systems are quite effective against drones. However, challenges arise when we don't know where the drones come from, what their flight paths are like, or what targets they aim at. As a result, the enemy occasionally sneak its way in. Fortunately, the Russian Ministry of Defense is learning from its mistakes and reducing the damage caused every month," said Dmitry Kornev, a military expert and Editor-in-chief of Militaryrussia Online.
About the large nets erected around the premises of oil refineries, he explained that these barriers serve as a last line of defense, designed to intercept small drones before they reach critical targets.
"Yes, physical barriers can be effective against small, homemade drones. However, they're insufficient against more advanced threats like cruise missiles. For those, strong air defense systems are needed," he said.
Russia beefs up air defenses to protect key infrastructure from drone attacks
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday the outcome of the ongoing Qatar-mediated consultations hinges on Washington's responses to questions raised by Iran.
Araghchi said an Iranian delegation had traveled to Qatar on Saturday for further discussions, adding that his aide was there to continue consultations with mediators.
The two-day talks remained underway, with no final conclusion reached. Araghchi expressed hope that the United States would rationally opt for diplomacy over other approaches.
An official briefed on the negotiations told the media that Qatar had maintained contact with the White House during the talks. The day before, Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks with Iranian counterparts in Tehran, aiming to clinch a U.S.-Iran agreement to avert renewed conflict after the U.S. midterm elections.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi dismissed reports of possible meetings as media speculation, saying Iran saw no need to meet with American officials at present. He said Tehran would decide whether to hold direct or indirect negotiations after Washington accepted Iran's conditions.
According to Araghchi, Iran's conditions include recognition of a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran had worked out with Oman, and the closure of other routes.
He said Tehran also sought the lifting of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a reduction in U.S. military forces in the region, the restoration of sanctions waivers for Iranian oil exports, and the release of all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar.
Iran also demanded an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, he said.
Araghchi said mediators had presented proposals concerning Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran was reviewing as part of what he described as a second phase.
The Iranian foreign minister also said a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance had been reviewed at high-level meetings, describing the American effort to open the door to broader dialogue and understanding as a "positive step."
Iran says outcome of Qatar-mediated talks hinges on US response
