Wagner Group Could Transfer Pantsir-S1 System to Hezbollah, US Intelligence

The United States has received intelligence information indicating that the Wagner Group may transfer the Pantsir-S1 air defense system to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

According to one American official, US authorities have not been able to confirm that the Wagner Group has delivered the system to Hezbollah. Washington continues to monitor reports regarding this potential transfer, which sources say is a significant concern.

The WSJ notes that the US had previously deployed an aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean in an attempt to deter a Hezbollah attack in northern Israel.

Wagner Group mercenaries operate in Syria, just like Hezbollah fighters, The Wall Street Journal states. In June 2023, Syrian authorities reportedly conducted operations to compel Wagner Group mercenaries in the country to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense during Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion, according to Reuters.

Earlier, Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the Defense Committee of the State Duma of Russia, stated that the Wagner Group has ceased to exist completely.