Russian ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, said on 21 April that his country would consider retaliatory measures against Tel Aviv if reports of Israeli military aid to Ukraine are confirmed.

“We are carefully checking this information and will respond accordingly if it is confirmed,” Viktorov said during a televised interview.

“Until yesterday there was no information about the supply or expected delivery of Israeli weapons to the combat zone. As far as I am concerned, repeated appeals were made to the Israeli authorities to supply equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets,” the Russian diplomat said.

He added that Moscow was still unsure about the matter, and would reflect further on the issue to verify it and take retaliatory measures.

Ukraine has been receiving arms and equipment from all over the world, its most notable suppliers being the US, the UK and other NATO countries.

US President Biden announced last week that his country was giving another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine in a package that includes “new capabilities tailored to the broader attack we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine.”

Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, recently warned that the influx of western weapons into the conflict zone in Ukraine was adding fuel to the fire.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has deployed more than 100,000 of its troops to NATO member states, and the Biden administration authorized $1.7 billion in military aid to Kiev.

However, since Biden took office, Washington has given Ukraine $2.4 billion in military aid, according to the White House.

On 2 March, the ambassador of Ukraine to Israel, Yevgeny Kornichuk, confirmed that a number of Israelis have traveled to his country to fight against Russian troops.

On 27 February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of an international legion and called on foreigners to join it the fight against the ‘Russian invasion.’

Following the call by Zelensky, thousands of people from different countries have reportedly applied to join this mercenary army.

On 18 April, the Israeli ambassador to Russia, Alex Ben Zvi, was summoned by Russia’s foreign ministry to answer questions over “anti-Russia remarks” made by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid at the UN.

Moscow then accused Israel of using the conflict with Ukraine to distract the world from their human right violations in Palestine.