The Russian Federation intends to recruit at least 27 Yemeni citizens for the war against Ukraine. According to the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Russian military structures are involved in the processing of these citizens, indicating an established recruitment mechanism.
In July 2026, the head of the recruitment point for contract military service in Khanty-Mansiysk appealed to the border service of the Russian Federation to legalize Yemeni citizens. Subsequently, contracts for military service were planned to be signed with them.
Among the Yemenis targeted for recruitment are men born in 2006 and 2007. A simplified procedure for acquiring Russian citizenship and obtaining residence permits is being used for their processing.