Russia’s role in the war in Israel and why Ukraine is warning of a “global war”

The head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov believes the world is approaching a ‘global war’, pointing to the involvement of Russia and Iran in the war in Israel.

In an interview with ‘Ukrainska Pravda’ this week, Budanov had a clear message: “… we see several conflicts that, at first glance, appear to be regional, except for Ukraine, but they are all connected by the same countries, it’s like a web. I believe we’re approaching a global war fairly quickly.”

As the battle between Israel and Hamas continues, Kyiv Post Today has analyzed the connection between Russia, Iran, the war in Israel and the war in Ukraine.

Budanov believes that Russia is involved in the war in Israel.

“We know for a fact that ‘trophy weapons’ were being handed over to Hamas for quite a long period of time.”

He said that some of the weapons also fell into the hands of Hezbollah, but this has not been confirmed.

There are other facts that point to Russia’s involvement in the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

“Everyone could see the videos on social media…when FPV drones were used against armored vehicles. This is the know-how of our war after all. No one but the people who went through our theater of operations could do this. Since we weren’t there, it means they were Russians.”

During this time, Russia also had its propaganda tool “Sputnik” in Arabic in Lebanon, and the visit of Russia by a Russian military delegation to Iran was no coincidence.

“Now it is very clear what kind of reconnaissance Russia is providing to all interested parties, not just Iran,” Budanov said.

Also, the Institute for War Studies this week warned about Russia’s intentions to maintain its influence in the countries of the Middle East.

“The Kremlin continues efforts to maintain Russia’s influence in the Middle East against the background of the ongoing war in Israel.”

Even the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain informed about Russia’s strategy.

“International isolation has forced Russia to redirect its foreign policy efforts towards less desirable partnerships to gain diplomatic, economic and military support,” the Defense Ministry statement said.

The Ukrainian president says that Moscow and the Palestinian armed group that attacked Israel are “terrorists”, while he has said that Iran has a role in both conflicts.

Zelenskyy told the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen via video link: “The only difference is that there is a terrorist organization that attacked Israel and here is a terrorist state that attacked Ukraine. The stated intentions are different, but the essence is the same.”

Ukraine said about 1,000 Iranian-designed Shahed drones have been used by Russia over the past six months.

“Iran cannot say it has nothing to do with what is happening in Ukraine if it sells Shaheds to Russia. “Iran cannot say that it has nothing to do with what is happening in Israel if its officials claim to support what is happening in Israel,” Zelenskyy said.

The controversial former adviser in the office of the President of Ukraine Olekssi Arestovych has said that the world is divided into two war fronts, which reinforces statements about Russian involvement in the Middle East.

“It’s safe to say that the world is divided into two camps that are fighting one way or another. This is a war of democracy against dictatorship”.