Russia rarely comments on the developments of the Yemeni civil war, especially as this conflict has sharply escalated in September and October 2026. Yemen, due to its geographical position and its historical ties with Moscow, is considered a strategic country for Russia. Meanwhile, Iran plays a key role as Russia's ally in the developments in Yemen.
Russia's Covert Support for Ansar Allah
Despite limited media coverage, there is evidence that Russia provides assistance to the Ansar Allah movement, an Iran-backed group. Russian officials maintain communications with this group while trying to present themselves as a neutral mediator in this dispute. This approach helps Moscow maintain its channels of communication and influence with various parties.
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Some commentators believe that Russia is exploiting the conflicts in Yemen to its advantage. The rise in oil prices and the diversion of U.S. attention and resources from the Ukraine war to Yemen are among Moscow's interests in this regard. At the same time, Russia's diplomacy in Yemen unfolds amid complex rivalries among various actors.
Diplomatic Developments and Mediation Role
In 2017, Russia suspended its diplomatic presence in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and moved its consular activities to Saudi Arabia. However, in 2024, Moscow announced plans to resume consular activities in Aden. The Yemeni government views this move as a symbolic victory for itself and interprets it as a sign of Russia's support for the legitimate Yemeni government.
Georgy Borisenko, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, referred to Moscow's historical relations with Ansar Allah in his statements, noting that this group has a special representative in Oman. This indicates that Russia is trying to engage with both sides of the conflict while presenting itself as a neutral mediator.
In this context, Alexander Alimov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, told reporters that Russia is ready to play the role of a mediator with sincere intentions, even though the conflicting parties have not officially invited Russia. This comes as Ansar Allah has recently announced that it welcomes any form of mediation to end the war and the blockade.
Currently, the complexities of the Yemen conflict and the existence of conflicting interests have led Russia to act cautiously while maintaining its communication channels with all parties. This reflects Moscow's efforts to preserve its influence in the region while also gaining economic benefits from this conflict.
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