Kremlin Slams 'Baseless' Claims of Wagner Group's Alleged Air Defense System Transfer to Hezbollah

 The Kremlin has strongly dismissed a recent Wall Street Journal report claiming that United States intelligence believes Russia's Wagner mercenary group is planning to provide Hezbollah with an air defense system. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that there is no foundation to such claims, adding that the group itself does not actually exist. Peskov further criticized the report, stating that "all of these musings are as a rule based on nothing and have no foundation."

The report by the Wall Street Journal suggested that Wagner plans to supply the Pantsir-S1 system, also known as the SA-22, which utilizes anti-aircraft missiles and air-defense guns to intercept aircraft. However, Peskov reiterated that such claims are baseless, and Washington has not confirmed the alleged transfer of the air defense system. While the Wagner Group, which was once funded by the Russian state, has been firmly brought under Kremlin control, it has not provided any comment in response to the report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin have consistently maintained that there is no legal basis for the group, as Russian law prohibits the operation of mercenary groups within its borders. The Wall Street Journal report also mentioned discussions regarding Wagner and Hezbollah, claiming that the Pantsir system would be provided to Hezbollah through Syria, where Russia has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad since entering the civil war in 2015. However, an unidentified US official quoted by the Journal has stated that Washington has not confirmed whether the air defense system has actually been sent.

Amidst these claims and counterclaims, there are established emergency communication channels between the Russian and US militaries. If there are genuine concerns regarding such matters, the Americans can always convey them to their Russian counterparts. As of now, the Kremlin has completely dismissed the Wall Street Journal report, labeling it as unsubstantiated. The veracity of the claims regarding Wagner's plans to supply an air defense system to Hezbollah remains unconfirmed.