Israeli forces operating in Lebanon have reportedly revealed that the vast majority of Hezbollah’s weapons are Russian-made, including some recently manufactured.

By World Israel News Staff

The vast majority of Hezbollah’s weapons originated from Russia, according to a report Tuesday, with recent discoveries by Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon forcing the IDF to raise its estimates regarding the flow of weapons to the Iranian-backed terror group.

On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal published a report citing multiple sources claiming that IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon since October 1st have uncovered large quantities of Russian-made weapons in Hezbollah’s possession.

While Israel has long been aware of the Iranian-backed terror group’s use of Russian-made weapons, the recent discoveries reportedly came as a surprise to military intelligence, which had estimated that Hezbollah’s arsenal was less dependent on Russia, and that the Russian-made equipment was largely older items, many dating to the Soviet era.

In fact, however, Hezbollah’s arsenal includes Russian weapons manufactured as recently as 2020, Syrian security officials and an Arab official told the Journal.

Rather than being made up of antiquated weapons dating back before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Israeli forces operating in Lebanon have found troves of modern advanced Russian weapons in Hezbollah caches, including antitank Kornet missiles.

The discoveries have fueled fears among Israeli leaders that Russia is strengthening its ties to the Lebanese terror group, contradicting Moscow’s claims of neutrality in conflicts between Israel and Iranian proxy groups.

Israel’s former Ambassador to Russia, Arkady Mil-Man, said that Israel “needs to be more assertive and defend its interests” in talks with Russia.

“We must explain and convey to the Russians that we will no longer stand any assistance to Hezbollah and Iran that could hurt Israelis.”

Moscow, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, and the Syrian foreign ministry all declined to respond to the report.

According to an IDF major cited by the report, between 60% and 70% of the Hezbollah weapons seized early in Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon were of Russian origin.

The post 2/3 of Hezbollah’s arsenal originated in Russia – report appeared first on World Israel News.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow’s forces have “liberated” 97% of the Luhansk region.

By Associated Press

Russia claimed Tuesday it has occupied large swathes of eastern Ukraine after a relentless, weeks-long barrage and the recent deployment of more troops.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow’s forces have “liberated” 97% of the Luhansk region.

Russia appears bent on capturing the entire eastern Donbas part of Ukraine, which is made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. That goal appears to be its most immediate ambition in Ukraine.

But while the Kremlin’s forces have superior firepower, the Ukrainian defenders — among them the country’s most well-trained forces — are entrenched and have shown the capability to counterattack.

Shoigu claimed that Russian forces have seized the residential quarters of Sievierodonetsk and are fighting to take control of an industrial zone on its outskirts and the nearby towns.

Sievierodonetsk, the administrative center of the Luhansk region, has recently been the focus of the Russian offensive. Sievierodonetsk and nearby Lysychansk are the only two Donbas cities holding out against the Russian invasion, which is being helped by local pro-Kremlin forces.

Shoigu added that the Russian troops were pressing their offensive toward the town of Popasna and noted that they have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region.

Popasna is a town with a pre-war population of 20,000 located about 30 kilometers (nearly 20 miles) south of Sievierodonetsk.

A Ukrainian official said Tuesday that Moscow is deploying troop reinforcements in eastern Ukraine as a Russian artillery barrage aimed to grind down Ukrainian defenses.

Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai conceded that Russian forces control the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, one of two cities in the Luhansk region still in Ukrainian hands.

“Toughest street battles continue, with varying degrees of success,” Haidai told The Associated Press. “The situation constantly changes, but the Ukrainians are repelling attacks.”

Attacks from the ground, sea and air

Moscow’s strategy has suffered numerous setbacks, however, since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, including a failed attempt to take Kyiv, the capital.

Moscow’s forces also kept up an artillery barrage of Lysychansk, a city close to Sievierodonetsk which is almost fully controlled by Russian troops.

Haidai said Russian troops shelled a local market, a school and a college building, destroying the latter. Three wounded people were sent to hospitals in other parts of Ukraine, he said.

“A total destruction of the city is underway, Russian shelling has intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. Russians are using scorched earth tactics,” Haidai said.

In all, Ukrainian forces had repelled 10 Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours, according to Haidai. His report couldn’t be independently verified.

Ukraine is receiving weapons and ammunition from the West to help fend off relentless Russian attacks. That assistance has become a target for Russian artillery and warplanes.

Russia claimed Tuesday its forces took out two artillery systems given by the United States and a howitzer supplied by Norway.

Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the Russian artillery barrage destroyed other Ukrainian equipment in the country’s east while the Russian air force hit Ukrainian troops and equipment concentrations and artillery positions.

Konashenkov’s claims couldn’t be independently confirmed.

In Kyiv, meanwhile, autopsies were planned on dozens of Ukrainian fighters killed at the Azovstal steelworks.

The bodies were returned to Ukraine by the Russian occupiers of the fortress-like plant in the destroyed city of Mariupol, where their last-ditch stand became a symbol of resistance against Moscow’s invasion.

The Azov Regiment was among the Ukrainian units that defended the steelworks for nearly three months before surrendering in May under relentless Russian attacks from the ground, sea and air.

It was unclear how many bodies might remain at the plant.

The post Russia deploys more troops, claims progress in east Ukraine appeared first on World Israel News.

Russia reportedly fires at IAF jets carrying out bombing raid in Syria, marking shift from previous policy.

By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News

Russia used advanced anti-aircraft missiles to target Israeli jets carrying out airstrikes in Syria, marking a major departure from a previous policy of essentially allowing the Israeli Air Force free reign to operate in the area, according to a report from Channel 13 News.

While never officially confirming nor denying the air strikes, Israel has bombed numerous Iranian assets and targets in Syria in recent years.

Russia, which has partnered with embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has de facto control over Syrian airspace and until now has not interfered in IAF bombing missions.

According to the report, the IAF targeted a number of sites in northwestern Syria last Friday evening.

In a statement after the air raid, Syrian military forces said they launched dozens of anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli aircraft. Those missiles are not advanced enough to pose a risk to the IAF.

But, Channel 13 noted, S-300 batteries also fired on Israeli jets. The advanced anti-aircraft S-300 were donated to Syria by Moscow and are operated strictly by Russian military personnel.

Although the system was unable to lock onto the IAF jets and the aircraft were not in serious danger of being hit, the move may signal a serious shift in Russian policy regarding Israeli activity in Syria.

In February 2022, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova spoke out against IAF airstrikes in Syria in an unprecedented public statement denouncing Israel.

“Israel’s continuing strikes against targets inside Syria cause deep concern. They are a crude violation of Syria’s sovereignty and may trigger a sharp escalation of tensions,” she said.

In January 2022, Hezbollah-affiliated Lebansese newspaper Al-Akhbar newspaper said that Syria and its allies, including Iran, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Russians, demanding that Russia stop allowing IAF air strikes in Syrian territory.

Syria and its allies would “be forced to react to the airstrikes if it doesn’t restrain Israel,” they reportedly warned Russia.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other Israeli officials have repeatedly referenced the strategic importance of maintaining strong ties with Russia.

Israeli commentators and analysts have said that Moscow’s policy of permitting IAF raids in Syria is one reason why the Jewish state has been reticent to formally support Ukraine or transfer military aid to the country.

The post Honeymoon over? Russia fires at Israeli jets in Syria: report appeared first on World Israel News.

However, a tough fight is ahead as China, Russia expected to veto UN resolution so they can sell weapons to the Islamic Republic.

By Paul Shindman, World Israel News

The U.S. has welcomed a joint call by Iran’s Arab neighbors endorsing the renewal of the United Nations arms embargo against Iran, Asharq Al-Awsat reported Tuesday.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that comprises Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar sent a letter to the UN Security Council backing an extension of the arms embargo on Iran.

“The GCC’s letter calling on the @UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran is a bold statement,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “The U.S. will introduce a resolution this week to extend the embargo after years of diplomacy. The [Security] Council must choose between arming terrorists or standing by the Gulf.”

Pompeo noted the unity on the issue from America’s allies in the region.

“Countries in the Middle East from the Gulf to Israel support extending the arms embargo. It is deeply important to every one of them. Arabs and Israelis are speaking with one voice and the Security Council must listen,” Pompeo said.

The U.S. is expected to table a resolution Tuesday in the Security Council to extend the arms embargo that is due to expire on October 18th.

However, Russia and China, both allies of the rogue Iranian regime, have said they oppose the extension and are expected to use their veto – a move that American officials warned poses a danger to the world.

“Russia and China are waiting to be able to sell arms to Iran,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft said in a Fox News interview.

“Iran will then be able to export these modernized lethal weapons to their terrorist organizations all throughout the world,” Craft said. “We have no other choice than to renew the arms embargo and promote peace and security around the world.”

Should the resolution be defeated, the Trump administration has threatened to invoke snapback sanctions, website The Hill reported. However, that move may cause more friction with U.S. allies who continue to support the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and objected to Trump’s withdrawal from it in 2018.

“If the @UN Security Council doesn’t extend the Iran arms embargo, it will make a mockery of its mission to maintain ‘international peace and security.’ The proposal the U.S. will put forward is reasonable and needed. We will do the right thing,” Pompeo said.

The post Israel, Arabs, US united on renewing Iran arms embargo appeared first on World Israel News.

Fearful that Iran could build up a massive arms cache by buying Russian planes and weapons, Israel has asked Russia to refrain from selling such items to the Islamic Republic.

Israel has asked Russia not to sign a massive arms deal with Iran, although Moscow is likely to move forward and act in accordance with its financial interests, Israel’s Haaretz reported Wednesday.

According to the report by Israel’s Haaretz, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman raised the issue during the visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Israel last week.

Earlier this week, Viktor Ozerov, chair of the the Russian upper house of parliament’s defense committee, said that Moscow and Tehran were negotiating a $10 billion deal on the sale of weapons and hardware, including T-90 tanks, artillery systems, and advanced aircraft and helicopters.

“Obviously, this will not bring much pleasure to us. At the same time, the Russians do not ask our opinion,” Liberman told reporters, Haaretz reported. “We are talking and trying to understand [our position over arms sales to Iran], though, after all, every state is acting in accordance with its interests. Russia is in financial distress and it operates according to its own interest.”

In October, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei told Russia Sputnik news that Iran was looking for ways to broaden the scope of defense cooperation with Russia, even in areas that require coordination with the UN Security Council (UNSC) and need a resolution.

By: World Israel News Staff

The post Israel asks Russia not to sign arms deal with Iran appeared first on World Israel News.