Russia appears to have deployed a fresh supply of Iranian kamikaze drones after exhausting its stocks last month, British defence experts said.

For the first time in three weeks, Ukraine has reported attacks by Iranian-sourced one-way unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to an intelligence update from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Ukrainian general staff reported shooting down 17 UAVs on December 6, and officials said drones were used the following day to target the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro.

The MoD stressed that the events remain to be verified, but it is likely that Russia had exhausted its previous stocks and has now received a fresh supply.

The UK has pledged a £50 million package of defence aid comprising 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to help Ukraine counter Iranian-supplied drones, including radars and anti-drone equipment.

Britain has also sanctioned Iranian individuals and firms linked to the supply of the UAVs.