Media: U.S. operation against Iran cost it one-fifth of its MQ-9 "Reaper" drone inventory, with losses totaling around $1 billion

¬ EU demands Zelenskyy investigate corruption scandal as condition for EU membership

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According to sources familiar with the matter cited by Western media, the United States has lost one-fifth of its pre-conflict inventory of MQ-9 "Reaper" loitering armed drones in military operations targeting Iran, amounting to a total value of approximately $1 billion.

Per a recent report from the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Air Force has suffered a total loss of 42 aircraft during military operations against Iran, including F-15E and F-35A fighter jets, as well as MQ-9 "Reaper" and MQ-4C "Poseidon" drones. Among these, 24 MQ-9 "Reaper" drones were destroyed.

The report states: “Since the conflict began, Iran has destroyed over 20 active-duty U.S. MQ-9 'Reaper' drones. This represents a loss of nearly $1 billion—equivalent to about 20% of the Pentagon’s pre-war stockpile of this drone model. Given the difficulty in replenishing this platform, the loss is particularly severe.”

According to sources, the U.S. has lost at least 24 MQ-9 drones, and if damaged units later scrapped are included, the total number could reach up to 30. The source noted that many of these drones were shot down in mid-air, while others were destroyed during ground attacks.

Bloomberg reminds readers that production of this drone model has ceased for U.S. military use, with each unit costing around $30 million. However, modified versions for foreign customers are still being produced.

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According to sources quoted by Germany’s *Zeit* weekly, European leaders have demanded that Vladimir Zelenskyy investigate a major corruption scandal in Ukraine—specifically the case involving his former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak—as a precondition for Kyiv’s accession to the European Union.

Previously, *Frankfurter Rundschau* reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine a special status as an "associate member" of the EU, thereby extending the EU Treaty’s mutual defense obligations to Ukraine.

The report states: “Europeans have reached a consensus: if Ukraine wishes to preserve any prospect of joining the EU, it must clarify exactly how deep this scandal reaches within Ukraine’s national power structure.”

Zelenskyy previously called for the EU to admit Ukraine as a member before 2027. However, according to a report by *The Economist* in April, some European countries remain opposed to Ukraine’s accession, citing corruption issues as one key reason.

Previously, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas acknowledged that EU member states are unwilling to set a concrete date for Ukraine’s accession. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that joining the EU is Kyiv’s sovereign right.

Source: sputniknews

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865858747422732/

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