Russia has been recruiting Yemeni mercenaries to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Many of these recruits are being tricked into joining Russia’s military, and their involvement in the conflict shows how desperate Russia is becoming as casualties rise. The recruitment is part of a larger operation involving a mysterious company linked to the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, which is working closely with Russia. This development highlights the growing ties between Russia and the Houthis, a group that has received support from Iran.
A Shadowy Operation to Recruit Yemeni Mercenaries
The recruitment of Yemeni mercenaries started in mid-2023. Men from Yemen were lured by promises of high-paying jobs and even Russian citizenship. They were told they would work in safe jobs like “security” or “engineering,” and some were promised salaries as high as $2,000 per month plus a $10,000 bonus. But when they arrived in Russia, the reality was much worse. They were forcibly enrolled in the Russian army and sent straight to the frontlines in Ukraine.
The recruits were deceived by a company linked to the Houthis, which is run by a key Houthi leader in Yemen. This company, based in Oman, had been presenting itself as a legitimate business offering jobs, but it was actually part of a recruitment operation to supply Yemeni mercenaries to fight in the war. The Yemeni men were promised good pay and better lives but instead found themselves in the middle of a dangerous war.
Life on the Frontlines
The conditions these Yemeni mercenaries face in Ukraine are harsh. Many of them had no prior military experience and were unprepared for the violence they would face. A number of Yemeni recruits have spoken about their experiences, describing the severe conditions they were forced to endure. Once in Ukraine, they were sent to areas with heavy fighting, where they had to live in dangerous conditions, often without proper clothing or equipment. Some recruits have even reported being sent into minefields and under constant bombardment.
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In one message shared by a recruit, a group of Yemeni mercenaries described carrying wooden planks to build bomb shelters in a forest while being constantly shelled. The recruits were fatigued and under extreme stress, and one soldier even attempted suicide. These men were not trained for such intense combat, and many were completely unprepared for the brutal conditions of the war. Their involvement in the conflict paints a grim picture of how Russia is resorting to using foreign soldiers, including Yemeni mercenaries, to keep up with the demands of the war, especially as Russian casualties continue to grow.
Deception and Desperation
Many of the Yemeni mercenaries were tricked into joining the fight. They signed contracts they couldn’t understand, written in Russian, under threats and intimidation. One Yemeni recruit explained how he was taken from the airport in Russia and forced to sign an enlistment contract at gunpoint. Many of the soldiers were scared and signed because they had no other choice. These men, who had hoped for a better life, found themselves trapped in a dangerous situation with no way out.
The Houthis, who are a group of rebels in Yemen backed by Iran, have been working closely with Russia. The Houthis see this as an opportunity to build a relationship with the Russian government and increase their influence. The recruitment of Yemeni mercenaries is one of the ways the Houthis are supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. In return, Russia has reportedly been discussing weapons deals with the Houthis, which could help them in their ongoing conflict in Yemen.
These Yemeni mercenaries are not the only foreign fighters in Ukraine. Russia has also been recruiting soldiers from other countries like Nepal, India, and North Korea, and this growing involvement of foreign soldiers highlights the desperate measures Russia is taking to continue its war effort. The Yemeni men who have been recruited, however, are often unaware of the full extent of the danger they are walking into. For them, it is a heartbreaking reality of being used as pawns in a much larger geopolitical game.
While some Yemeni mercenaries have managed to leave the battlefield and return home, many others are still stuck in Ukraine, facing unknown futures. Human rights organizations are working to bring attention to their plight, and families back in Yemen continue to worry about the safety of their loved ones. The story of these Yemeni mercenaries is just one example of how the war in Ukraine is drawing in soldiers from across the world, often with devastating consequences.
