Russian surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon system Pantsir-S1 (File Photo).
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday rejected claims that the Wagner paramilitary group transferred air defense systems to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
If the U.S. has concerns in this regard it may use existing military communication channels with Russian counterparts and ask them directly, Peskov told a news conference in Moscow.
“De facto such a group (Wagner) does not exist, so all these speculations as a rule are baseless, groundless … there are emergency communication channels, if there are any feasible concerns, they may be always brought to our military,” he said.
Peskov refused to comment on reports that Pavel Prigozhin, the son of former Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, now leads the group.
Russian media had reported that Wagner resumed recruitment, with Pavel taking over as leader following his father’s death in a plane crash in August.
Earlier this week US officials have said that the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary outfit, intends to supply Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, with an air-defense system. The system in question, the Russian SA-22, combines anti-aircraft missiles and guns to counteract aircraft, the Wall Street Reported on Friday.
Although the transfer of the system to Hezbollah has not been confirmed by Washington, the discussions between Wagner and Hezbollah are under close surveillance, with US officials expressing significant concern over the potential arms deal.
Amidst broader apprehensions that Hezbollah might confront Israel from the north, the US has deployed aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent. The world awaits a speech from Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, for indications of the group’s intentions following the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Wagner’s presence in Syria, alongside Hezbollah forces backing Assad, adds to the complexity of the situation.
