Yemeni men could start fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to the Financial Times. Does this mark a further escalation in hostilities?

In a chilling new development in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow has reportedly begun recruiting fighters from Yemen to bolster its forces on the frontlines. This follows Russia's previous attempts to source soldiers from North Korea and other impoverished nations.

One recruit told the Financial Times that he was forced to sign an enlistment contract that he could not read before being sent to Ukraine.

Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, the Financial Times reported, as the Kremlin increasingly looks to foreign troops to limit the impact of the war on the domestic population.

Russia’s heavy combat causalities from the war in the Ukraine have prompted the Kremlin to use any and all means to recruit new frontline fighters.