Russia supplied Yemeni Houthi rebels with satellite data for missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites sources from European defense ministries.
“The Houthis, which began their attacks late last year over the Gaza war, eventually began using Russian satellite data as they expanded their strikes,” the text reads.
Satellite data was allegedly transmitted to the Houthis via Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the report.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted more than 100 vessels in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip.
The previously unreported assistance “shows how far Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to go to undermine the U.S.-led Western economic and political order,” The WSJ reports.
The U.S. classifies the Yemeni Houthis as a terrorist group, with Iran providing support to the militants. Analysts cited by the publication suggest that “Russia has sought to stoke instability from the Middle East to Asia to create problems for the U.S.”
In doing so, Moscow aims to strengthen military partnerships with autocracies, incorporating Iran and North Korea into its strategies regarding the war against Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal notes.
“For Russia, any flare up anywhere is good news, because it takes the world’s attention further away from Ukraine,” stated Alexander Gabuev, director of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
Cover: a screenshot of Houthi content
