Ukraine-Russia war updates: Wagner preparing to provide air defence to Hezbollah or Iran, says US

The White House has revealed that Russia’s mercenary group Wagner is preparing to bolster Hezbollah or Iran’s air defences in a worrying new development.

The White House says Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group had been planning to provide an air defense system to Hezbollah or to the regime in Iran, as part of an “unprecedented defence cooperation”.

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified US officials, Wagner was preparing to supply the Pantsir-S1, a Russian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile system known as SA-22 by NATO.

“Our information ... indicates that Wagner, at the direction of the Russian government, was preparing to provide an air defense capability to either Hezbollah or Iran,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Wagner, which is funded by the Kremlin, has been brought back into line after a failed mutiny in June that presented the biggest threat to Vladimir Putin’s two-decade rule.

President Vladimir Putin with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Picture: AFP

“We are certainly prepared to use our counterterrorism sanctions authorities against Russian individuals or entities that might make these destabilising transfers,” Mr Kirby said.

He added that Iran was “considering providing Russia with ballistic missiles now for use in Ukraine in return for that support.”

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Choigou paid an official visit to Iran in September and described it as an “important step” for military cooperation between the allies.

Both the countries are subject to international trade sanctions and have forged close ties in a number of sectors.

UN URGES ‘OLYMPIC TRUCE’ FOR PARIS GAMES

The United Nations General Assembly has urged for the observance of a traditional “Olympic Truce” during the next year’s Paris summer games, as Russia condemned what it called “political interference” in sport.

The resolution, adopted with 118 votes in favor to none against, “urges Member States to observe the Olympic Truce individually and collectively” from seven days before the start of the games next summer until seven days after the Paralympic Games.

Russia and Syria abstained from the vote.

“I cannot remember a time when the world was facing so much confrontation, division and polarization,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said in an address to the General Assembly in New York.

“In this fragile world, this Olympic Truce resolution is more relevant than ever... This resolution is our opportunity to send an unequivocal signal to the world.

A person walks past a damaged monastery in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. Picture: AFP

“Yes, we can come together even in times of wars and crises. Yes, we can join hands and work together for a better future.”

The IOC considers Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to be a violation of the Olympic Truce passed ahead of the Beijing winter Olympics.

It has recommended that international federations not hold events on Russian soil and the banning of Russian symbols, such as anthems and flags, from competitions.

The IOC has not yet decided on whether Russian athletes will be able to participate at the Paris Games.

However, Russia condemned what it called “a dangerous trend of political interference in sport.”

“The height of hypocrisy and cynicism, the likes of which we’ve not seen in recent history has been the illegal barring of Russian athletes from international sporting competitions, as well as attempts to deprive Russia of its right to host them in our country,” Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya said.

SECOND AUSTRALIAN KILLED FIGHTING WITH UKRAINE

A second Australian serving with a military unit of foreigners in Ukraine known as The Chosen Company has been killed during a Russian assault on a strategic city in eastern Ukraine.

Sources confirmed a Victorian man died last month in the same artillery strike that killed former soldier Matthew ‘Jeppo’ Jepson in Avdiivka on October 30, according to the ABC.

He was 21 and served with the Australian Army before travelling overseas to join Ukraine’s fight.

The Australians died alongside former US Army soldier and Iraq war veteran Joel David Beal.

Details are only coming to light now.

Believed to be from Townsville, Mr Jepson was a former ADF member who served in Afghanistan and with the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, and was assigned to the 59th motorised brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF).

Former Australian Army soldier Matthew Jepson died "risking his own life to save another" on October 30, according to his family on a social-media post. His body is yet to be repatriated to Australia for his funeral.

The elite force, largely made up of former foreign fighters, is known as the “Chosen Company” and often dispatched to the frontline because of the members’ military training. The unit has sustained numerous casualties.

There has been constant fighting on the outskirts of strategic Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region of east Ukraine, for several months. At least 4000 Russians have been killed there since 2022, according to reports.

The death and naming of the Australian, aged in his mid-20s, was first reported by Russian media which claimed several foreign fighters, including from Georgia, had been killed in the strike by Russian armed forces as it flagged the international nature of its fight.

A man, wounded in Avdiivka, is evacuated by policemen on a stretcher from an emergency car at a hospital in Myrnohrad, Donetsk. Picture: AFP

While it has been confirmed he was killed in a military strike there have been unconfirmed social media posts suggesting he died trying to save colleagues guarding a Red Cross post.

The soldier’s family, who did not name their loved one, confirmed his death in a post earlier this month.

“We understand this will come as a shock to many, it was a shock to us too so please feel free to reach out if you need to,” the family said.

“(He) passed away while risking his own life to save another and will always be remembered for his bravery.”

A number of other former colleagues also took to social media to express their condolences for the “hard working infantryman” loved by many.

The matter has been handled by the New Zealand consul-general in Kyiv since Australia has still not reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said, adding it was providing consular assistance to his family but declining to comment further.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy with servicemen during his visit at the heavily shelled frontline town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Picture: AFP

There have reportedly been up to 200 Australians, mostly ex-military and some of Ukrainian background, who have travelled to Ukraine to join the war effort.

Defence has said it would be offering support to his former Townsville colleagues and other ADF members who knew him.

“Defence offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the former soldier at this difficult time,” Defence said in a statement.

UKRAINE STAR HEADED TO AUSTRALIA

Ukraine’s top songstress Jamala has pleaded for Australian music fans to not forget her besieged country as Russia uses the Israeli crisis to intensify its assault on its neighbour.

The Israel-Gaza war has taken the focus off Russia’s continued aggression on Ukraine with fears it has prompted war fatigue among Kyiv’s Western allies for both aid and armaments.

Jamala is expected to arrive in Australia this week on a personal mission for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to thank Australia and appeal for donations for children and school programs to continue.

Ukraine’s top songstress, Jamala, has pleaded for Australian music fans to not forget her besieged country. Supplied

The 40-year-old singer won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 and became a national hero but since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has devoted her energy to campaign for support.

“We will never forget Australia’s help, it has a permanent place in our history,” she said Sunday ahead of a fundraiser on Thursday.

“But the war is going on and we have to stop it as soon as possible, and we can’t do it without you. The longer the war, the harder it is to keep the attention but it is up to us all to create and invent, to use our voices so that the world doesn’t grow to accept violence and cruelty.”

Jamala representing Ukraine with the song "1944" celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 Grand Final in Stockholm. Picture: AFP

The singer’s charity event participation is in support of President Zelenskyy’s UNITED24 fundraiser, whose backers include Barbra Streisand, legendary Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and rock stars Imagine Dragons.

“As the war’s two-year mark looms in February next year, we want to thank Australia for its

support but also remind Australia that vital aid is still needed to help protect Ukraine’s cities,

save lives and work towards the nation’s recovery,” Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia Vasyl

Myroshnychenko said.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with a group of Ukrainian and foreign journalists in Kyiv amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Picture: Supplied

Jamala is joined on the tour by renowned Ukrainian combat medic Yuliia ‘Taira’ Paievska, who helped raise the plight of the city of Mariupol with her bodycam footage beamed around the world before she was captured by Russian forces then released three months later in a prisoner exchange.

Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Kateryna Argyrou said the community was delighted to have two Ukraine figures in the country.

“Now we can show President Zelenskyy that Australians remain committed to helping

Ukraine,” she said.

The fundraiser is on at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney.

Originally published as Ukraine-Russia war updates: Wagner preparing to provide air defence to Hezbollah or Iran, says US