Viktor Bout, the notorious Russian arms dealer dubbed the “Merchant of Death,” has reportedly resumed his illicit activities, two years after his release from a US prison. Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence for arms trafficking before being exchanged in 2022 for the release of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained in Russia on drug charges.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Bout is now involved in negotiations to supply Russian-made weapons to the Yemen-based Houthi group, which is part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” network. This alliance of militant groups, which opposes Israel and the United States, has recently been active in disrupting trade in the Red Sea, exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Russia, an ally of Iran, has a history of arming the Houthis and other regional groups like Hezbollah.
Bout is allegedly brokering a deal to sell $10 million worth of Russian small arms, including AK-74 rifles, to the Houthis. Talks between Houthi officials and Bout took place in Moscow this past August. Though the current deal reportedly focuses on small arms, discussions also touched on the sale of more advanced weaponry, including Kornet anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft systems.
Bout, who has previously sold weapons across Africa, South America, and the Middle East, gained international infamy for violating arms embargoes and supplying weapons to conflict zones. His past dealings included trading arms for diamonds with former Liberian President Charles Taylor, a convicted war criminal.
The report also highlights that weapons deliveries may be camouflaged as humanitarian aid shipments, with arms hidden among supplies like grain, which Russia has previously sent to the region.