Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death,” is reportedly back in the arms dealing business after being exchanged for WNBA player Brittney Griner.
A European security official and other people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that less than two years after his release, Bout is returning to his old ways, this time selling arms to the Houthis. He reportedly negotiated a $10 million arms deal with Houthi emissaries when they traveled to Moscow in August.
Notably, the arms agreed upon are only small arms, so he won’t be taking part in the Houthis’ attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Officials have previously expressed concern that Russia could sell advanced anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, greatly expanding the group’s ability to destroy commerce vessels and even possibly hit warships.
Bout, a former soldier in the Soviet military, took advantage of the fall of the Soviet Union to become one of the most prolific arms dealers in modern history. He sold arms to insurgent movements and governments across Africa, South America, and Asia. He was arrested by the United States in 2008 in Thailand in a sting operation, and he was then released in 2022 in exchange for Griner.
Bout has spent most of his time since returning home wading into politics and doing media appearances. He joined the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and has voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bout also made his art debut at a gallery last year.
The report of the Houthi arms deal is the first sign that he has returned to his old profession.
The Wall Street Journal reported that, at the meeting with the Houthis, the two parties only agreed on shipments of AK-74 rifles. The Houthis discussed other desired weapons, including Kornet anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft weapons.
The shipments could begin as early as this month. The sources speaking with the newspaper speculated that they might be sent under the cover of food supplies.
Speaking with TASS, the Russian state news organization, Bout called the report “unfounded accusations.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave a similar answer.
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“We’ve seen the article,” he said, according to the Russian media outlet. “We are inclined to categorize it as fake news or an information attack on our elected representatives.”
The Kremlin’s preference to free Bout has helped fuel speculation that he’s close with figures in Russia’s security and intelligence establishment. His life served as one of the inspirations for the 2005 Nicholas Cage film Lord of War.
