Russia gave data to Yemeni Houthi rebels to help them in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, writes an article in the "Wall Street Journal", BTA reported.
According to the American daily, the Houthis have guaranteed themselves access to Russian satellite data, which they obtained with the help of Iranian intermediaries. Using this data, they have attacked vessels with ballistic missiles and drones.
The Houthis, who control large swathes of territory in Yemen, have for months attacked Israel and ships linked to the Jewish state, saying they were doing so in solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which Israel has been fighting in the Gaza Strip since one year.
These attacks disrupt maritime traffic in an area that is key to global trade. The United States has formed an international naval coalition and is striking Houthi targets in Yemen, sometimes with the help of the United Kingdom.