Viktor Bout, the notorious Russian arms dealer, is reportedly back in the global arms trade, less than two years after being released from U.S. custody in a high-profile prisoner swap. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bout, often referred to as Vladimir Putin’s “Merchant of Death,” was involved in negotiations with Yemen’s Houthi movement, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the U.S., for the sale of weapons.
The alleged meeting took place in Moscow in August 2024, where emissaries from the Iran-backed Houthis sought to purchase $10 million worth of arms, including automatic weapons such as AK-74 rifles. While this specific deal is reportedly small in scale, the Houthis also inquired about acquiring more advanced weaponry, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. There is no concrete evidence that Bout will be involved in future arms deals of this nature, but his return to arms trading has already raised concerns in Washington.
Bout’s Notorious History in Arms Trading
Viktor Bout, a former Soviet military officer, became infamous after the collapse of the Soviet Union by acquiring and selling surplus Soviet-era military equipment. Over the years, he built a network that supplied arms to militant groups across the world, including in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Among his alleged clients were groups such as al-Qaeda and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Despite these dealings, Bout also had relationships with Western governments, leading to him being labelled a “Sanctions Buster” for his ability to circumvent international arms embargoes.
Bout’s activities were so notorious that they inspired the 2005 film Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage. In 2008, his global arms trade came to a halt when he was arrested in Thailand in a sting operation orchestrated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Royal Thai Police. In 2012, he was convicted in a Manhattan federal court of conspiracy to sell arms to a terrorist organisation and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Release and Return to the Spotlight
In December 2022, Viktor Bout was freed in a dramatic prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, which saw him swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner. Griner had been sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony for possession of cannabis oil, in a case widely perceived as politically motivated. The exchange caused controversy, particularly given Bout’s history as one of the world’s most wanted arms dealers.
Following his release, Bout expressed sympathy for Griner, stating that he felt bad for anyone “used as a pawn” in international politics. He also voiced staunch support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has since been elected to a seat in a local Russian legislature. Bout is reported to have kept a photograph of President Vladimir Putin in his U.S. prison cell, symbolising his continued loyalty to the Russian state.
Bout’s Alleged Deal with the Houthis
Bout’s reported dealings with Yemen’s Houthi movement mark his return to the illicit arms trade. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been designated as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. since January 2024. This designation followed a series of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claimed were part of their opposition to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The group has also been linked to drone attacks targeting Israeli cities, though these were thwarted by Israeli defences.
The Wall Street Journal reports that while the current arms deal primarily focuses on automatic rifles, the Houthis have expressed interest in procuring more advanced weaponry, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. Though there is no concrete evidence directly tying Bout to these potential acquisitions, his involvement in negotiations with the Houthis is likely to trigger significant concern in Washington and among Western allies, given the group’s destabilising influence in the region.
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Houthis Could Receive Advanced Russian Missiles in Tehran-Brokered Deal
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