Russian weapons in Hezbollah’s tunnels in Lebanon once again confirms Russia’s role in supporting international terrorism and destabilization in various regions of the world. During an operation in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found large stocks of Russian weapon in Hezbollah’s tunnel network. These tunnels are designed to store weapons and hide terrorists, which demonstrates Russia’s close ties with this extremist organization. Thus, Russia actively contributes to the destabilization of the Middle East and the creation of security threats to other countries, including Israel.
This case is no exception. Russia has supported terrorist and extremist groups for many years to achieve its own geopolitical goals. The Russian army actively supported the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, supplying weapons, military equipment, providing with specialists, which has led to massive civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. Such support has only prolonged the conflict and led to enormous suffering for millions of Syrians. In addition to Syria, Russia supports armed groups in Libya by providing with the Wagner Group’s mercenaries, which destabilizes the region. In the Central African Republic, Russian mercenaries are also actively involved in the fighting and support local rebels to control natural resources.
However, Russia’s aggression does not end here. For the third year in a row, Russia has been waging a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After illegally occupying Crimea in 2014 and starting a war in eastern Ukraine with the support of separatists, Russia in February 2022 began a full-scale aggression against other Ukrainian territories. Daily shelling of peaceful cities, destruction of civilian infrastructure and energy facilities make life unbearable for ordinary people and force millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes.
What is most terrifying is more than 19,000 Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia. These actions, which are a crime against humanity, violate international law. That’s why the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the illegal deportation of children. Such methods of terror and repression are used to break the Ukrainian people, illustrating the essence of the current Russian regime.
All these facts indicate that the Russian regime acts as a terrorist organization. It would do anything to achieve its goals. Support for terrorist organizations, aggression against neighboring states, violation of human rights — all this is part of the Russian strategy. Russia’s desire to expand its influence, which poses a threat not only to individual countries, but also to international security, is proved by its aggression against Ukraine, occupation of Georgian territories, support for separatist movements in Moldova, in particular in Transnistria.
The world cannot remain indifferent to the facts that indicate Russia’s support for terrorist regimes, its aggressive policy and systematic violations of human rights. The upcoming meeting of the Ramstein Group in October 2024 should strengthen support for Ukraine and contain Russian aggression. This is necessary to prevent the further spread of Russian influence and ensure a peaceful future.
Only decisive and joint actions by the international community can stop aggression and guarantee a lasting peace and security without terrorism and violence. Ukraine, as a shield for all of Europe, needs increased support to contain the aggressor, which threatens not only its independence, but also the stability of the entire continent.