Russia has dispatched hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine after a business with ties to the Iran-backed Houthi terror group duped them into travelling to Moscow, where they were compelled to join the Russian military, according to the Financial Times.
Several conscripts said that in July, they were approached by the Al Jabri firm, which was created by renowned Houthi politician Abdulwali Abdo Hassan al-Jabri, with the prospect of a new life in Russia.
As part of a developing partnership between the Kremlin and the Houthi rebels, the men were instead allegedly forced to sign an enlistment contract they were unable to read and sent to the frontlines.
Many of the foreign soldiers who were deceived into fighting for Russia have been killed on the front lines.
Russia has been seeking closer ties with the Houthis and discussing arms supplies, according to Tim Lenderking, the United States' special envoy for Yemen.
“We know that there are Russian personnel in Sanaa helping to deepen this dialogue,” he said. “The kinds of weapons that are being discussed are very alarming, and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and possibly beyond.”