The U.S. says it has intelligence that the Russian paramilitary group Wagner may send an air defense system to Hezbollah
Russia’s Wagner Group May Provide Air Defense Weapon to Hezbollah, U.S. Intel Says
Lebanese militant group could threaten a second front against Israel
Nov. 2, 2023
The U.S. has intelligence that the Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary group, may provide an air defense system to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, U.S. officials say.
The system in question is the SA-22, which 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 it is monitoring discussions involving Wagner and Hezbollah and that the potential delivery is a major concern.
The U.S. has positioned an aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean to try to deter Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militias, from opening up a northern front against Israel.
Wagner has personnel in Syria, where Hezbollah fighters have also been present.
Write to Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Vivian Salama at vivian.salama@wsj.com