By Willing to Supply Weapons to the Houthis, Putin Wants to Boost Western Support for Ukraine – ISW

Vladimir Putin, photo: Getty Images

Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) point out that Russia’s willingness to transfer weapons to Yemen’s Houthis reflects Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s desire to get the West to abandon aid to Ukraine, and also points to the Alliance depends on Iran for precision weapons. and components.

Source: ISW

Details: The Kremlin reportedly planned to transfer missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen, but did not transfer them after diplomatic pressure.

Notice:

Literally: “Russia’s reported plan underscores its growing military partnership with Iran and suggests Russia may be seeking to use Iranian proxies to counter indirectly on the West and influence Western decisions.”

Details: According to CNN, citing US officials and other sources familiar with the matter, Russia was preparing to deliver missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in late July 2024, but abandoned the plan after diplomatic efforts with the US and Saudi Arabia.

US officials said they were unsure whether Saudi Arabia’s objections were a significant factor in stopping the planned move.

CNN sources said at least three Russian military officials visited Yemen in late July 2024 to advise the Houthis and possibly help them conduct live fire exercises, which the Houthis canceled. his later career.

US officials say Russia is considering arming and advising the Houthis in retaliation for the lifting of some US restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied weapons to attack bring on the territory of Russia.

The review recalls that Putin said on June 6 that the Russian Federation would allow unspecified actors to launch long-range strikes against the West as a “symmetric response” to the escalation of some of the those restrictions.

According to analysts, Russia’s plans to support the Houthis to indirectly confront the West and threaten further escalation are consistent with several Russian intelligence and hybrid operations that aimed at encouraging the West to withdraw aid to Ukraine for fear of conflict with Russia.

Literally: “Putin’s willingness to consider supporting the Houthis, who attack Israel and international shipping, is part of deepening Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia’s Increasing dependence on Iran for precision weapons and components.

Russia’s deepening partnership with Iran is likely to encourage Russia to consider supporting other Iranian proxies and using these groups in indirect efforts to threaten the West with escalation.

Russia’s increased willingness to use Iran and its proxies for indirect conflict with the West will undermine Russia’s efforts to present Russian foreign policy in the Middle East as a balance and could threaten relations with To make Russia more difficult with countries concerned about Russian-Iranian cooperation.”

Key ISW results for August 3:

• On August 2, Ukrainian forces reportedly attacked four Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, an S-500 air defense system and a Kilo-class Rostov-on-Don submarine of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the ‘Crimea.
• Ukrainian forces also carried out a series of successful drone strikes against potential military targets in the Rostov, Kursk and Belgorod regions on August 3.
• The Kremlin reportedly planned to transfer unspecified missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen, but did not transfer them after diplomatic pressure. Russia’s narrative plan highlights its growing military partnership with Iran and suggests that Russia may be trying to use Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and influence Western decisions.
• Putin’s willingness to consider supporting the Houthis, who attack Israel and international shipping, is part of deepening Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia’s growing dependence on Iran. for precision weapons and components.
• Russian troops have recently advanced near Kremennaya, Seversk and Chasovoy Yar.
• The Russian authorities are still making efforts to provide financial incentives to the Russian military service in Ukraine.