IDF soldiers have discovered multiple stockpiles of Russian-made weapons in Hezbollah’s possession in southern Lebanon, according to a report published Tuesday by the Wall Street Journal.

Some of the weapons, including Kornet anti-tank missiles, were manufactured as recently as 2020 and were reportedly transported from Russia through Syria to southern Lebanon in recent years, as noted by a Syrian security official and an Arab official.

While Israeli military leaders were aware that Hezbollah had Russian-made weapons, the ongoing ground operation has revealed the full extent of the group’s arms supply. Prior to this operation, Israel was aware that Hezbollah had older Soviet-era weapons, but lacked insight into the more advanced and recent weaponry in the group’s arsenal.

The IDF’s findings in southern Lebanon include a range of newer, more advanced Russian weapons, such as guided anti-tank missile systems like Metis, Konkurs, Fagots, and Saggers. These weapons were reportedly discovered less than a kilometer inside southern Lebanon.

Military analysts have noted that these Russian-made arms have bolstered Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks against Israeli forces, with Kornet missiles being particularly effective in such assaults. Israeli officials have expressed concern over the growing sophistication of Hezbollah’s weaponry, as it allows the militant group to target Israeli military positions with greater precision.

These advanced weapons have raised alarms about the broader regional implications. Analysts suggest that the supply of Russian-made arms to Hezbollah could further destabilize the already volatile region, increasing the potential for conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as complicating the dynamics of Israeli defense strategy.

According to the report, approximately 60-70% of the weapons seized by Israel during the early stages of the operation were of Russian origin. The increasing presence of such weapons in southern Lebanon marks a significant shift in Hezbollah’s capabilities, which had been largely limited to older, less sophisticated arms before this discovery.

Israel’s heightened awareness of these advanced weapon caches may influence future military operations in the region as the IDF adjusts its tactics to account for the growing threat posed by Hezbollah’s evolving arsenal.