- June 19, 2025
- 9:33 pm
- Middle East
The Israeli operation against Iran has shocked the Kremlin. Russia fears that a similar scenario may unfold for itself — and with U.S. involvement. What the Kremlin saw in Iran’s weak air defense and why it concerns Ukraine — read the full story on NAnews.
“They Got Scared”: Israeli Strike on Iran Triggers Panic in the Kremlin
Key Takeaways:
- Russia fears the Israeli operation against Iran due to potential U.S. involvement and the collapse of the Iranian regime.
- Iran invested heavily in air defense systems, making air superiority a challenging goal.
- Russia tries to portray Ukraine as Iran and itself as Israel to “sell” that narrative to Trump.
The central point of this analysis: Russia is genuinely afraid that Iran’s fate may become its own.
The Israeli operation targeting Iranian facilities not only showcased the effectiveness of IDF tactics but also exposed the vulnerability of Russian-supplied air defenses. The Kremlin saw a reflection of its own future — and it was terrifying.
Russia fears Israeli strikes on Iran: what scares the Kremlin most? NAnews Israel News, June 19, 2025
Why Is the Kremlin Afraid?
As noted by
Serhiy Danylov, Deputy Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, Moscow is genuinely shaken by Israel’s operation against Iran. There are several reasons:
- Israel’s successful strike and the complete failure of Iran’s Russian-built air defenses
- The potential for a similar U.S.-led strike against Russia
- The exposed weakness of a strategic ally — Iran — despite massive investments
- The threat of global isolation and damage to the reputation of Russian weapons exports
Iran Invested Billions in Air Defense
Russian military leadership relied on the idea that S-300 and Rezonans-NE systems supplied to Tehran could protect Iranian airspace. However, not a single Israeli aircraft was downed. This alarmed not only Tehran, but the Kremlin itself.
“When people say Iran had no air defense — that’s not true. They invested heavily in it. But Israel achieved complete air superiority,” Danylov said on Channel 24.
“They are projecting the situation onto themselves. What happens if Russia is subjected to the same intensity of airstrikes — let’s say, from the U.S. Air Force?” — Serhiy Danylov asked.
He added that Iran had both its own systems and Russian-built technology. It was believed that achieving air dominance over Iran — and especially forcing the regime to capitulate — was either impossible or extremely difficult.
What Western Media Says
British outlet The Telegraph reported that Israel’s strikes revealed the limited effectiveness of Russian air defense systems.
This is supported by multiple sources:
| Source | Conclusion |
|---|---|
| The Telegraph | Russian air defenses, including S-300, proved ineffective against Israeli Air Force |
| Rand Europe, James Black | Israel, like the Ukrainian Armed Forces, demonstrated the vulnerability of Iranian-Russian systems to Western technologies |
| Justin Crump, former British Army commander | NATO is reassessing the role of Russian air defense systems in strategic planning |
“Russia is Israel, Ukraine is Iran”?
According to Danylov, the Kremlin is pushing a narrative in which Russia is “Israel” and Ukraine is “Iran”. This is meant to appeal to Western — particularly Trump’s — sympathies, presenting Russia as a defensive power battling terrorism.
In reality, the opposite is true: Ukraine is defending its land, and Israel is a democratic ally acting preemptively. That contrast is what truly alarms Moscow.
Consequences: Arms Market and Psychological Blow
There is a serious risk that global demand for Russian air defense systems may collapse. As Crump noted:
“If people see that Russian technology underperformed, they’ll turn to China.”
The failure of a key ally that Russia invested in so heavily delivers a blow to the credibility of its entire military strategy.
Ukraine and Israel: A Strategic Parallel
Israel and Ukraine are two nations fighting regimes built on terror. However, Israel strikes preemptively and with force, while Ukraine defends and seeks global support.
As NAnews — Israel News notes, this comparison leads to several key insights:
- The Kremlin fears a repeat of the Iranian scenario inside its own borders
- Israel’s actions become a model for effective use of force
- Ukraine deserves the same level of U.S. support that Israel receives
NAnews — Israel News continues to monitor how Israeli actions impact global power dynamics.
The scenario the Kremlin observed in Iran has become a mirror of its own weaknesses. And that is what truly terrifies Moscow.
