The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital and a significant portion of the country, have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023. These drone and missile strikes were initiated as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, which escalated into the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Two European defense officials and an insider revealed to the Journal that the Iranian-aligned Houthis have been leveraging Russian satellite data to enhance their offensive capabilities. This information has reportedly been relayed through members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who are embedded with the Houthis in Yemen.

Russia's support for a designated terrorist group is viewed as part of a broader strategy by President Vladimir Putin to sow discord in the global economy. The Red Sea is a crucial shipping lane, and disruptions here, combined with the increased military resources required to counter these attacks, have raised concerns among analysts.

“As far as Russia is concerned, any escalation anywhere is advantageous, as it diverts global attention from Ukraine. The U.S. will have to allocate resources—whether it's Patriot systems or artillery shells—and with the Middle East in focus, it’s evident where their priorities will lie,” stated Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, a Berlin-based think tank.

The revelations about Russia's support for the Houthis come amid reports that Putin has been receiving both materials and personnel from other authoritarian regimes. Iran has supplied Russia with ammunition, drones, and missiles, while North Korea is said to have dispatched 3,000 troops for training in Russia to bolster its efforts in Ukraine.

The Journal did not receive any comments from the Russian government or a representative of the Houthis when they sought a response.