Official statements or credible reports from international news agencies

Russia Forcibly Recruits Hundreds of Yemeni Houthis to Fight in Ukraine

Nov 24, 2024, 12:32 PM

Russia has reportedly recruited hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries, including fighters linked to the Houthi rebel group, to fight in Ukraine. According to a report by the Financial Times, a Houthi-linked company owned by Abdulwali al-Jabri began recruiting Yemeni men as early as July, with one contract dated July 3 and signed by the head of the contractor selection center in Nizhny Novgorod. The recruits were promised high-paying jobs, salaries of $2,000 per month, a $10,000 bonus, and Russian citizenship. Upon arrival in Russia, however, they were allegedly forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine. Some of the recruits included students without military background who have reportedly suffered huge losses. This development highlights the growing ties between Moscow and the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group. The operation underscores Russia's efforts to bolster its military forces amid rising casualties without resorting to full mobilization.