January 23, 2025 | Flash Brief
‘Shared Challenges’: Israel Considers Sending Russian Weapons Seized From Hezbollah to Ukraine
January 23, 2025 | Flash Brief
‘Shared Challenges’: Israel Considers Sending Russian Weapons Seized From Hezbollah to Ukraine
Latest Developments
- Legislation Would Transfer Russian Weapons to Ukraine: Acknowledging common threats, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22. Zelensky said on X that the two discussed “important issues of Ukrainian-Israeli cooperation” and “shared challenges.” Israel is considering providing Ukraine with Russian weapons seized by the IDF from the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon to assist its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.
- Majority of Hezbollah Weapons Seized Were Russian: During the initial phases of its ground operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon in late 2024, the IDF discovered that approximately 60-70 percent of the weapons found in Hezbollah’s stockpiles had been manufactured in Russia, some as recently as 2020. According to The Wall Street Journal, the stockpiles included the Kornet antitank missile, as well as Metis, Konkurs, Fagot, and Sagger missiles.
- Iran-Russia Military Collaboration: Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s diplomatic and military relationship with Iran has burgeoned. On January 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic cooperation treaty. Iran has supplied Russia’s armed forces with equipment, such as suicide drones, artillery shells, and missiles, to use in Ukraine. In return, Russia has given Iran military assistance, including agreeing to provide modern fighter jets, air defense systems, and other advanced military equipment. The coordination includes sharing targeting data with Iran’s terrorist proxies, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who continue to attack Israel and maritime vessels in the Red Sea.
FDD Expert Response
“Israel has had its hands full in the Middle East dealing with Tehran and its terror network. That is one reason why Israel has tried to avoid tension with Beijing and Moscow where possible. The reality, however, is that China and Russia have already picked sides with their multifaceted support for Iran. It is important that current policy in Jerusalem, Washington, and Riyadh reflect this sobering reality.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“Ukraine is fighting an axis of authoritarianism — Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China. The world’s other beleaguered democracies — Israel, Taiwan, and South Korea — should be able to see this enormous threat clearly. It is only natural that Israel would support Ukraine against Russia with weapons they have seized from Iranian proxies like Hezbollah.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology
“Provisioning Ukraine with Russian-made weapons is not just pragmatic but strategically compelling. On the battlefield, it would fill some of Ukraine’s major equipment needs. And by repurposing arms originally intended to harm Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East, would accomplish two goals at once: diminishing one of our adversaries (Russia) and helping one of our friends (Ukraine). It would be a double win.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’: Russia and Iran Set to Sign Pact After Presidential Visit,” FDD Flash Brief
“Israel Discovers Hezbollah Stockpiles of Russian Weapons,” FDD Flash Brief
“Lebanon Ceasefire Talks: Beware of Trusting Russia to Restrain Hezbollah,” by Ahmad Sharawi
“Israel’s expanding efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s supply chain,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi and Joe Truzman
“Back in Business: Russian ‘Merchant of Death’ Selling Arms to Houthis,” by John Hardie