Media: Israel discovers large stockpiles of Russian arms in Hezbollah’s arsenal

Amid its ground offensive in southern Lebanon, Israel has uncovered extensive stockpiles of Russian-made weapons in Hezbollah's possession, significantly altering its understanding of the militant group’s firepower.

Among the discoveries are Kornet antitank missiles manufactured as recently as 2020, with markings indicating their transfer from Russian stockpiles in Syria, according to Israeli military officials and other sources familiar with the matter, Caliber.Az reports referring to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

These findings confirm Israel’s longstanding suspicions that Hezbollah has enhanced its arsenal with advanced Russian weaponry, beyond the outdated arms previously known to be in its possession. Israeli analysts warn that the newer and more sophisticated weapons are bolstering Hezbollah's capabilities, making it a far more formidable adversary than Hamas.

Since entering southern Lebanon in late September, Israeli troops have uncovered large quantities of Russian-made missiles, including Konkurs, Metis, and Saggers, found in underground bunkers and above-ground caches. Initial analysis suggests that 60% to 70% of weapons seized are of Russian origin.

Some were transported from Syria, where Russia has supplied arms to the Assad regime and maintained its own stockpiles. The extent of Hezbollah’s reliance on these stockpiles remains unclear, but the weapons’ presence highlights the group’s capacity for high-impact strikes.

The Israeli military’s disassembly lab revealed that some Kornets had markings identifying them as Russian-manufactured rather than Iranian-made replicas. These weapons have been instrumental in Hezbollah’s recent attacks, with numerous incidents documented since Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel.

A Kornet missile's ability to strike from distances of 7-8 kilometres has proven deadly, contributing to the loss of 43 Israeli soldiers since the ground operation began.

The discoveries have heightened concerns in Israel over Russia's regional influence. Despite Moscow’s claims of neutrality in Middle Eastern conflicts, Israeli analysts suggest Russia’s deepening ties with Hezbollah and Iran are creating strategic challenges. Russia’s provision of arms to Hezbollah, coupled with its hosting of Hamas leaders and military cooperation with Iran, has prompted some Israeli officials to question their government’s historically cautious approach toward Moscow.

Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, emphasised the importance of Russian involvement in disarmament efforts, urging Moscow to prevent further arms smuggling to Hezbollah from Syria. However, experts warn that Russia's shifting stance, particularly since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, suggests a more aggressive posture toward the West and its allies, including Israel.

The revelations have sparked debates in Israel over its diplomatic strategy, with calls for a more assertive approach to counter Moscow’s support for adversarial forces in the region. Military analysts argue that without curbing Hezbollah’s access to advanced weapons, the group’s ability to challenge Israel will continue to grow, exacerbating regional tensions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev