Russia has been accused of deceiving Yemeni men into fighting in Ukraine by offering them false promises of high-paying jobs and Russian citizenship, according to a report by the Financial Times. The men were recruited and transferred to Russia under the guise of a trafficking operation and were then coerced into joining the Russian military and sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
The report suggests that recruitment of Yemeni men began in July, with at least 200 men forcibly conscripted into the Russian military in September. Many of these men had little training before being sent to fight in Ukraine. A video posted by a news outlet showed the dire situation of these men, with one conscript even attempting suicide before being reinstated into service.
The scheme orchestrated between the Houthis and Russia highlights Moscow’s willingness to go to great lengths to bolster its forces amid high casualty rates in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense estimated that Russia has seen over 730,000 casualties in the war, with around 115,000 deaths and 500,000 wounded.
Aside from Yemeni men, North Korea has reportedly sent 12,000 troops to aid Russia in Ukraine. Earlier reports also indicated that men from India and Nepal were lured into fighting for Russia under false pretenses. India’s Prime Minister allegedly raised concerns about Indian mercenaries with Russian President Putin, but the status of their return remains unclear.
In addition, Nepal has sent around 15,000 men to fight for Russia, showcasing a trend of targeting impoverished nations for recruitment. Russia’s ties with Iran and Iran’s proxy forces like the Houthis have strengthened since the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022. Russia has supported the Houthis by providing targeting data for their attacks on Western ships in the Red Sea.
The exact terms of the agreement between Russia and the Houthis are unclear, and there has been no confirmation of arms sales from Russia to the terrorist network. The Houthis have visited Russia multiple times this year to meet with Kremlin officials, further solidifying their relationship.
Overall, the report sheds light on the deceptive tactics used by Russia to recruit foreign fighters for its war in Ukraine and the complex web of alliances and agreements that underpin this recruitment scheme. The plight of Yemeni men, as well as those from other nations, highlights the human cost of conflict and the lengths to which countries will go to strengthen their military capabilities.
