Russia has shifted from diplomacy to direct action. A senior official in the Russian parliament has confirmed that Moscow is actively supplying weapons to Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela, cautioning that the United States "might encounter surprises" if it increases its military presence in the Caribbean.
Aleksei Zhuravlev, the deputy chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee, stated to Gazeta.ru that Russia is consistently delivering arms to Venezuela. He also hinted that this support could be bolstered with advanced anti-aircraft systems and next-generation missiles.
"Russia is a key technical-military partner for Venezuela. We provide a wide range of weaponry, from small arms to aviation," Zhuravlev noted. "Venezuela's Air Force is primarily powered by Su-30MK2 fighters, and the Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems were recently delivered via Il-76 transport aircraft," he added.
The legislator emphasized that there are no international barriers preventing the Kremlin from continuing to equip Caracas. "The Americans could be in for some surprises. There is no restriction that forbids us from supplying friend nations with new developments like the Oreshnik or Kalibr missiles," he asserted.
The Washington Post had previously disclosed that Maduro urgently requested military assistance from Russia, China, and Iran, asking for missiles, radars, drones, and spare parts for his air fleet. According to the newspaper, the Venezuelan leader sent a personal letter to Vladimir Putin, seeking a "three-year financing plan" with the state corporation Rostec and warning of a "direct threat to Venezuelan sovereignty" due to the U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov acknowledged that Moscow maintains "regular contacts with their Venezuelan friends," while the Foreign Ministry promised to "respond appropriately to emerging threats."
The Reality Behind Maduro's Arsenal
According to Russian and Western sources, the military equipment delivered or requested includes three main systems:
The Pantsir-S1: a short-range mobile anti-aircraft defense battery equipped with automatic cannons and surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting drones, helicopters, or cruise missiles at a maximum distance of 20 kilometers. Although effective in low-intensity conflicts, the system has shown vulnerabilities against coordinated attacks with guided missiles and kamikaze drones, as seen in Syria and Libya.
The Buk-M2E: a medium-range anti-aircraft system (up to 45 km) designed to protect strategic installations. Developed in the 1990s, its technology has been surpassed by NATO's electronic defenses and precision missiles. Nevertheless, in skilled hands, it can pose a challenge to low-altitude air incursions.
The S-300VM (Antei-2500): the most advanced of the three, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles over 200 km away. However, the Venezuelan units are from 2013, and their maintenance has been inconsistent due to a lack of Russian technicians and spare parts. Russia has also mentioned the potential shipment of Oreshnik missiles—a short-range tactical experimental version—and Kalibr missiles, which Moscow used in the Ukraine conflict with ranges of up to 2,000 km.
Experts find it unlikely that these will be transferred, as Venezuela lacks the necessary infrastructure and advanced radars to operate them effectively.
In comparison, the United States has deployed F-35B fighters, Reaper drones, electronic warfare systems, and Tomahawk missiles with a range of 1,600 km in the Caribbean, alongside the USS Gerald Ford, the world's most modern aircraft carrier. Against this capability, the Russian systems in Venezuela are more political gestures than real threats.
A Cold War Chessboard in the Caribbean
Despite their limitations, Russian support serves a strategic purpose: forcing Washington to divide its attention between Europe and Latin America amid the Ukraine war.
While Trump has vowed that "Maduro's days are numbered" and Congressman Carlos Giménez insists that "he won't last until Christmas," Putin is stirring up hemispheric tension with a high-stakes move.
This maneuver echoes Russia's backing of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, which resulted in devastation and chaos in the country, ending with the dictator and his family fleeing to Moscow. Now, Maduro clings to Putin as his last hope, although his survival—like Assad's—may depend more on how much the United States is willing to tolerate.
Understanding the Geopolitical Implications
What are the potential consequences of Russia supplying arms to Venezuela?
The supply of arms could escalate tensions in the region, forcing the U.S. to divide its strategic focus between two continents. It also poses a challenge to U.S. influence in Latin America and could lead to a military buildup in the Caribbean.
Why is Russia supporting Venezuela militarily?
Russia aims to bolster its geopolitical influence and challenge U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Supporting Venezuela also serves to extend its strategic reach and create a foothold in Latin America.
How does the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean compare to Venezuela's capabilities?
The U.S. has a far superior military presence with advanced technology such as F-35B fighters, Reaper drones, and the USS Gerald Ford, which significantly outmatch Venezuela's Russian-supplied systems.