Israel reportedly sends captured Russian arms to Ukraine
The Telegraph reports that Israel has most likely begun supplying Ukraine with Russian weapons seized from various locations, including Lebanon. The British newspaper supports this conclusion by observing the movement of American C-17A transport aircraft following a meeting between Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, and Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk. These aircraft take off from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, land at Hatzerim in Israel, and then proceed to Rzeszow, Poland.
The meeting between Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, took place on January 21st at around 9:00 AM Eastern Time. As reported later by the Ukrainian side, Haskel proposed the transfer of Russian weapons seized by Israel, including those from Lebanon, to Ukraine. Various indicators suggest this proposal is being acted upon, with the transfer of military equipment already underway. However, either side has yet to officially confirm this.
Israeli arms deliveries to Ukraine
The Telegraph highlighted the American C-17A flights commencing after the politicians' meeting. These heavy transport aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, are capable of carrying over 85 metric tonnes of cargo, allowing them to transport armoured vehicles and even tanks. It has been noted that the aircraft depart from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, stop over at Hatzerim in Israel, and then head to Rzeszow, a primary logistical hub for further transferring military equipment to Ukraine.
Potential arms deliveries from Israel to Ukraine have also been noted by a well-known pro-Russian military blog on Telegram called "Two Majors." A post on this blog stated: "There are indications that Israel has begun supplying Ukraine with Soviet and Russian-made weapons." Meanwhile, open-source intelligence experts running the "OSINTdefender" account have posted maps showing the route taken by the American C-17A transport aircraft.
The Telegraph points out that about 60 percent of the weapons and military equipment Israel seized in Lebanon in 2024 were produced in the USSR or Russia. Among the seized weapons are reportedly sniper rifles and modern anti-tank missiles, like the Kornet, supplied to Hezbollah by Syria, a Russian ally during Bashar al-Assad's rule. Open-source intelligence experts also mention Russian ammunition and tanks.
The delivery of such weapons and military equipment will undoubtedly benefit Ukrainian soldiers. As they are already familiar with Russian and Soviet equipment, no additional training is required. These systems are ones they regularly use, allowing the weapons and military equipment to be deployed to the battlefield swiftly after necessary checks and servicing.
Russian weapons in Hezbollah's hands
Hezbollah has long utilized Russian weapons and military equipment, significantly enhancing its combat capabilities against Israel and other adversaries in the Middle East. Its arsenal includes Kornet-E anti-tank missiles, effectively used against Israeli Merkava tanks during the 2006 Lebanon War, RPG-29 anti-tank systems, which remain effective against armoured vehicles and enemy fortifications, and portable Igla missile systems, posing a threat to Israeli helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles operating over Lebanon.
Russian weapons reached Hezbollah through various channels. One of the main suppliers was Syria, a long-time ally of both Russia and Hezbollah. Weapons were often transferred from Syrian army depots, and during the Syrian civil war, Hezbollah accessed even larger stocks of Russian arms, supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime. Indirectly, equipment may have also originated from Iran, which has received Russian weapons over the years and subsequently distributed them to its allies in the Middle East.
