A Financial Times report reveals Russia, in collaboration with the Houthi terrorist network, is recruiting hundreds of Yemeni men under false pretenses. These men, lured to Russia with promises of high-paying jobs and citizenship, are subsequently coerced into the Russian military.
This “shadowy trafficking operation” involves transporting Yemeni recruits to Russia, where many are allegedly forced, at gunpoint, to sign combat contracts and deployed to the Ukrainian frontlines.
The U.S. State Department and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense were unavailable for immediate comment regarding Russia’s increased reliance on foreign fighters.
The exact number of Yemeni recruits and their Houthi affiliations remain unclear, although recruitment reportedly started in July. One group of at least 200 men were forcibly conscripted in September, receiving minimal training before being sent to Ukraine.
A video shared by the Financial Times shows several Yemeni men describing their dire situation, including one conscript’s suicide attempt and subsequent return to duty. “We are now under bombardment,” one man states, depicting their conditions in a Ukrainian forest.
U.S. diplomats told the Financial Times that this Houthi-coordinated scheme highlights Moscow’s desperate efforts to replenish its depleted forces, given the high casualty rate.
Ukraine estimates over 730,000 Russian casualties, while U.S. assessments in early October put the figure closer to 600,000, including approximately 115,000 deaths.
While the Financial Times report focuses on Yemeni recruits, they are not alone. North Korea has reportedly aided Russia, and previous reports indicate men from India and Nepal were similarly deceived into fighting for Moscow.
The exact number of Indian conscripts is uncertain, but Indian Prime Minister Modi reportedly raised the issue with President Putin in July, receiving assurances regarding their repatriation. The status of this agreement remains unclear.
CNN previously reported the recruitment of approximately 15,000 Nepalese men, illustrating Russia’s targeting of impoverished nations for recruitment.
Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has strengthened ties with Iran and other nations.
The nature of any agreement between Russia and the Houthis in this recruitment scheme remains undisclosed, with no confirmed arms sales between them. However, Russia is known to have provided targeting data to the Houthis for attacks against Western ships.
At least two Houthi delegations have visited Russia this year to meet with senior Kremlin officials.