Israel May Transfer Soviet Arms Captured in Lebanon, Syria to Ukraine

Israel may have begun transferring Russian and Soviet-made weapons captured in Lebanon and Syria to Ukraine.

The OSINTdefender project reported U.S. Air Force C-17 military transport flights from Israel to Poland, a key logistics hub for Ukraine-bound military aid.

Reports indicate several C-17 flights originated from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, stopped at Hatzerim Air Base in Israel, and continued to Rzeszów, Poland. The payload capacity of a single C-17—up to 77 tons—allows for substantial weapon shipments, including anti-tank systems and ammunition.

The weapons in question were seized during Israeli operations in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel had previously discussed transferring such weapons to Ukraine.

In June, the U.S., Israel, and Ukraine were reported to be negotiating the supply of decommissioned Israeli Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. By November, Militarnyi revealed that Israel was considering creating anti-tank units using weapons captured from Hezbollah. During operations in southern Lebanon, Israeli forces seized large Hezbollah weapon stockpiles, including Soviet and Russian-made anti-tank systems, which were initially intended for use but later transferred to Israel.

Captured arms include Soviet and Russian-made systems like 9M131FM thermobaric missiles, Metis-M anti-tank missiles, RPG-27 and RPG-29 Vampire grenade launchers, 9K32M Strela-2 portable air defense systems, and grenades, 9K135 Kornet anti-tank missiles and numerous small arms and ammunition.

Military observer Yigal Levin reported that over 85,000 units of weapons, ammunition, and equipment were taken from Lebanon to Israel, including 6,840 launchers for ATGMs, rocket-propelled grenades, and grenade launchers; 9,000 explosive devices; 2,250 rocket and artillery shells; 2,700 small arms; 2,860 other weapons; 60 air defense missiles; and 300 binoculars and surveillance devices. The weapons originated not only from the USSR or Russia but also from Iran, North Korea, China, and other nations.