Michael R. Gordon and Vivian Salama
WSJ, Nov. 2, 2023
“The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have clear links. Since we cut off Russia’s traditional means of supplying its military, it’s turned more and more to Iran for assistance. In return, Moscow has supplied Iran with increasingly advanced military technology, which poses a threat to Israel’s security.”
Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary organization, plans to provide an air-defense system to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, U.S. officials say, citing intelligence. The Russian SA-22 system they plan to send uses antiaircraft missiles and air-defense guns to intercept aircraft.
One U.S. official said that Washington hasn’t confirmed that the system has been sent. But officials are monitoring discussions involving Wagner and Hezbollah, and officials say the potential delivery is a major concern.
The Russian Embassy didn’t respond to a request for comment, but a U.S. spokeswoman expressed concern Thursday night about the potential weapons transfer.
“The information that was reported by The Wall Street Journal is concerning,” said Adrienne Watson, the spokeswoman for the White House’s National Security Council. “We know that Russia has refused to condemn Hamas for its horrific terrorist attack on Israel and they recently hosted Hamas officials in Moscow. This comes as Russia is continuing to commit atrocities in Ukraine.”
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