Israel to supply defence equipment to Ukraine Central Asia & Russia

Jerusalem: Israel had adopted a nonaligned stand in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has been going on for the last two months. But Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz announced that Israel would supply defence equipment to Ukraine. It had been reported that the Ukrainian military already had stocks of Israeli weapons. In this scenario, Russia expressed concerns over the announcement made by the Israeli Defence Minister. Russia has warned that it would retaliate if Israel equipped the Ukrainian military.

Moreover, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Ukrainian Defence Minister Alexi Reznikov held telephonic talks. The Ukrainian Defence Minister demanded military assistance from Israel. After that, the Israeli Defence Minister announced that Israel would supply defence equipment to Ukraine. These include bulletproof jackets and helmets. Israeli defence ministry clarified that the equipment is for civilian use, not the Ukrainian military.

But this Israeli explanation has not satisfied Russia. Israel’s criticism of distancing itself from the nonaligned stand is becoming louder in Russia. Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov reacted to the Israeli announcement for Ukraine while speaking to a local news channel. Russian Ambassador Viktorov warned ‘Russia is cautiously monitoring the announcement made by Israel. Russia will retaliate as and when necessary.’

Furthermore, Israeli has adopted a nonaligned stand on various international platforms since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began. The United States and European countries had demanded that Israel should supply weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine also had demanded the Iron Dome air defence system from Israel. But Israel had flatly refused to supply. Media from the United States and Europe accused that this Israeli stand favours Russia.

But discussions have started in the Israeli media that there is a change in the Israeli stand following the announcement made by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz. Reports of the Israeli weapons reaching the Nazi supporters from the Ukraine military are also being received. It has been exposed that the Azov battalion owns Matador rockets developed by Israeli, German and Singapore companies.

Azov Battalion is known as the Nazi supporter group having no respect for human rights. Members of this group were in Ukrainian prisons. There are serious charges against them. But after the war broke out, Ukraine released prisoners, armed them and sent them to fight the Russian military. It is revealed that the Azov Battalion is fighting for Ukraine in this manner.

Israeli media remind that the Azov Battalion had Russian destroyer tanks using the Israeli made Matador rockets. In this scenario, an intense reaction may be received from Russia if Israel goes ahead with the weapons supply to Ukraine. The Israeli media point out that this could harm Israeli relations with Russia.