Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary organization, plans to provide an air-defense system to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, U.S. officials say, citing intelligence.

The Russian SA-22 system they plan to send uses antiaircraft missiles and air-defense guns to intercept aircraft.

One U.S. official said that Washington hasn’t confirmed that the system has been sent. But officials are monitoring discussions involving Wagner and Hezbollah and the potential delivery is a major concern to them.

[It’ll be a major problem for the IDF as they use their air supremacy to seek out and destroy missile launchers taking aim at Israel. The US might need to get involved here too, as such systems would represent a threat to the two carrier groups in the eastern Mediterranean. If it’s any consolation, though, the Russian systems haven’t done Russia much good in its war against Ukraine. — Ed]