The Kremlin has categorically dismissed a recent report published by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that U.S. intelligence believed Russia's Wagner mercenary group was plotting to provide Hezbollah with an air defense system. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterised such claims as unfounded, asserting that, in practice, the Wagner group did not exist. The report cited unidentified U.S. officials stating that U.S. intelligence suspected Wagner of planning such a transfer.
"We have already said that, de facto, such a group (Wagner) does not exist," Peskov remarked, as quoted by news agency AFP, when questioned about the report.
"All of these musings are as a rule based on nothing and have no foundation," Peskov said in reference to the report, as per AFP. He also highlighted the presence of emergency communication channels between the Russian and U.S. militaries, suggesting that any genuine concerns could be conveyed through these channels.
The Wall Street Journal's report alleged that Wagner had intentions to supply the Pantsir-S1 system, known by NATO as the SA-22. This air defense system employs anti-aircraft missiles and air-defense guns to intercept aircraft.
Wagner Group, which has historically received funding from the Russian state and has been brought under the firm control of the Kremlin following an abortive mutiny led by its former leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in June, did not provide a response to news agency Reuters' request for comment.
President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin have consistently maintained that there is no legal basis for the existence of Wagner within Russia. Russian law prohibits the presence of mercenary groups inside the country. However, in late September, President Putin was seen meeting with one of the senior former commanders of the group.
An unidentified U.S. official quoted by The Wall Street Journal indicated that Washington had not confirmed the shipment of the air defense system. Nevertheless, U.S. officials are closely monitoring discussions involving Wagner and Hezbollah, as reported by the Journal.
The Journal further noted that, if the allegations were true, the Pantsir system would be delivered to Hezbollah through Syria, where Russia had supported President Bashar al-Assad by intervening in the civil war there in 2015. The report has raised concerns and questions about the potential transfer of advanced military equipment in a region with ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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