The IDF is uncovering “large troves” of Russian weaponry in southern Lebanon, providing further evidence that Hezbollah’s military capabilities are heavily bolstered by Russian arms, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal today.

Among the weapons found are Kornet antitank missiles, which were originally supplied by Russia to Syria and later made their way to Lebanon, Arab and Syrian security officials told the Wall Street Journal. Russia maintains its own stockpiles in Syria and also supplies arms to the Syrian military.

For years, Israel has known that Hezbollah possessed Russian-made weapons but lacked conclusive proof due to the terror group’s entrenched position in southern Lebanon. However, since the launch of the “Northern Arrows” operation in the region, the IDF has discovered newer and more advanced weaponry in larger quantities than analysts had anticipated. These arms have played a critical role in enabling Hezbollah to maintain its strength despite the loss of much of its leadership. Antitank weapons, in particular, have been highly effective, causing significant casualties among Israelis.

The Wall Street Journal further reported that these findings have heightened concerns that Russia is strengthening its ties with Hezbollah. An Israeli security official explained to the publication that Russia has deepened its cooperation with Iran, which has supplied it with drones and ballistic missiles. The same drones Russia deployed in Ukraine are now being used by Hezbollah against Israel, often with devastating effects.

Russia’s involvement in Syria dates back to 2011, when it began supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the civil war. By 2015, Russian forces were fighting alongside Hezbollah in Syria, as both sought to ensure Assad’s survival. This shared objective facilitated Hezbollah’s access to Russian stockpiles in Syria, fostering closer ties between the two groups, according to Syrian and Arab security officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.

It remains unclear how frequently Hezbollah acquired weapons through this arrangement, the report noted.

Hezbollah’s arsenal of Russian-made weapons includes Kornets, Metis, Konkurs, Fagots, and Saggers, according to an Israeli expert overseeing the disassembly of captured arms. He revealed that these weapons were found less than a kilometer into southern Lebanon, both above and below ground. However, he admitted that it is difficult to determine exactly how Hezbollah obtained the weapons or where they received training to use them.

An estimated 60-70% of the weapons seized at the onset of the Northern Arrows operation were Russian-made, the expert emphasized. As the operation continues, the IDF is still uncovering “many” Russian weapons inside Lebanon. Some of the arms were manufactured as recently as 2020, while others are from earlier production years.

{Matzav.com}