EU avoids comment on Yemeni involvement in Russia’s Ukraine war

Simona Mazzeo
Credit: REUTERS/ALEXEY PAVLISHAK

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union acknowledges Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals for the Ukraine war but avoids commenting on Yemeni involvement.

The European Union does not remark on details regarding the recruitment of Yemeni citizens in the Russian Federation to partake in the war with Ukraine but says that they are aware of Moscow’s usage of citizens of other nations for these goals.

As reported by Interfax-Ukraine, a representative of the EU’s Foreign Diplomatic Service and lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Peter Stano, remarked on information about the recruitment of Yemeni citizens to use in the war against Ukraine, spread by the Financial Times.

In Brussels on 25 Nov 2024, He said, “We are aware that Russia is using recruitment of nationalities from other countries to continue and fuel its illegal aggression against Ukraine.” At the same time, Stano did not respond to the clarifying question about Yemeni citizens. “It is for the Ukrainian authorities to say what kind of nationalities they identified on their territory, which is temporarily occupied by the Russian military, citizens of which countries are present there,” he stated.

How is Russia recruiting foreign nationals for the Ukraine war?

Financial Times reported that Russia’s armed forces have hired hundreds of Yemeni men to battle in Ukraine, carried by a shadowy trafficking operation that underlines the growing ties between Moscow and the Houthi rebel group. Yemeni recruits who journeyed to Russia told the Financial Times they were pledged high-salaried careers and even Russian citizenship.

When they reached with the assistance of a Houthi-linked business, they were then forcibly inducted into the Russian army and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. The formation of the ragtag group of mostly involuntary Yemeni mercenaries in Ukraine reveals how the conflict is increasingly stinking in soldiers from abroad as casualties increase and the Kremlin attempts to avoid a full mobilisation. They include mercenaries from Nepal and India and some 12,000 North Korean regular army troops who reached to take part in fighting against Ukrainian forces in the Russian province of Kursk.

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Simona Mazzeo is a journalist at Brussels Morning News. She is covering European Parliament, European Council, European Commission & Italy News. She is a law graduate and lawyer residing in Agropoli, has carved out a multifaceted career dedicated to justice and social advocacy. She actively serves as a delegated councilor for the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Bar Association of Vallo della Lucania, championing fair and equal representation within the legal system. Recognized for her expertise and empathy, Simona is qualified for registration in the list of Special Curators of minors in civil and criminal matters at the Court of Vallo della Lucania, ensuring the rights and interests of vulnerable children are protected throughout legal proceedings. Beyond her legal practice, Simona demonstrates a strong commitment to social causes. She is a founding member of the Free Lawyer Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. Additionally, she leverages her knowledge and passion for social justice as a non-professional journalist, contributing insightful and informative pieces on relevant legal and societal issues. Through her diverse endeavors, Simona Mazzeo exemplifies dedication to legal excellence, social responsibility, and a fervent belief in equal access to justice for all.
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