in ,

From Prison to Profit! Russian Arms Dealer Makes a Shocking Comeback!

Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer, is reportedly back in the spotlight, this time attempting to broker weapons deals with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Bout, famously exchanged for US basketball player Brittney Griner two years ago, was previously serving a lengthy sentence in the US for his arms trafficking activities.

Bout, who earned the nickname “Merchant of Death” for his role in smuggling Soviet-era weapons across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, was arrested in 2008 during a US sting operation. He was later convicted of several charges, including conspiring to kill Americans and supplying anti-aircraft missiles. After spending a decade in prison, he was released in a high-profile prisoner exchange for Griner, who had been detained in Russia for carrying a small quantity of cannabis oil.

Since his release, Bout has largely kept a low profile, pivoting towards politics by joining a pro-Kremlin ultranationalist party and even winning a local assembly seat. However, fresh reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that Bout is now brokering a $10 million arms deal for the Houthis, a militant group that has been actively engaged in the Yemeni conflict and attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The Alleged Arms Deal

According to sources familiar with the matter, including a European security official, Bout attended negotiations in Moscow in August, where representatives of the Houthis were looking to purchase automatic weapons. The Houthis reportedly covered their visit by claiming they were in Moscow to buy vehicles and pesticides. The weapons in question, mainly AK-74 rifles, are said to be worth millions, with deliveries possibly starting as soon as October.

The report from The Wall Street Journal does not confirm whether the deal is being conducted on behalf of the Kremlin or merely with its quiet approval. The Kremlin, when approached, did not comment on the matter.

Escalating Conflict in the Red Sea

For over a year, the Houthis have carried out numerous attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, an area critical for global trade. While some of their attacks have targeted Israeli and US military ships, the broader implications have been economic, affecting the cost of global shipping routes and driving up insurance premiums for vessels navigating the Red Sea.

In a statement earlier this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the threat posed by the Houthis, noting, “These attacks are having a real effect on the prices that people have to pay for food, for medicine, for energy. Ships have to get diverted to other places, insurance rates go up, and the basic principle of freedom of navigation is what’s at stake.”

The economic impact is being felt by shipping companies and consumers alike. According to a report by the Defense Intelligence Agency, container shipping through the Red Sea has sharply declined, while the costs of alternative shipping routes have soared. “Currently, we are seeing premiums as high as 2% on vessel value for a single Red Sea transit amid fluctuating insurer appetite,” said Louise Nevill, UK CEO for marine, cargo, and logistics with broker Marsh.

The shipping crisis is only expected to worsen if arms deals, like the one allegedly orchestrated by Bout, continue to fuel the conflict.

Russia’s Role and US Concerns

While this current weapons deal reportedly focuses on small arms like AK-74s, there is growing concern that Russia may further arm the Houthis with more sophisticated weaponry, including anti-ship missiles. US intelligence agencies have long warned that Moscow might resort to such tactics as retaliation for Washington’s support of Ukraine.

Months ago, Blinken also warned that the Houthis’ growing capability, with potential support from Russia, would escalate the situation in the Red Sea, making international shipping a perilous affair for both commercial and military vessels.

While there is no confirmation yet on whether the weapons deal will go through, the involvement of a figure like Viktor Bout would signal a significant intervention by Russia in the ongoing Yemeni conflict. As one of the world’s most notorious arms dealers, his re-entry into the trade would likely exacerbate tensions and draw international scrutiny.

This developing situation could bring new challenges for global trade and heighten the urgency for diplomatic resolutions in the Middle East.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

65525

Man Gets Pulled Over, But What He Does Next Leaves the Court Begging for More!

Hockey Star Mikayla DeMaiter Strips Down in a Green Swimsuit – You Won’t Be Able to Look Away!