On Wednesday, the United States levied sanctions against individuals and entities based in Russia, accusing them of facilitating the procurement of weapons, commodities, and stolen Ukrainian grain for Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The Treasury Department identified Hushang Ghairat, an Afghan businessman residing in Russia, and his brother, Sohrab Ghairat, as key operatives in this network. They allegedly assisted senior Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal in securing millions of dollars’ worth of goods from Russia destined for Houthi-controlled territories.

According to the Treasury, these goods included weapons, sensitive materials, and controversially, stolen Ukrainian grain. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities,” emphasizing the network’s critical role in supplying the Houthi’s military capabilities. This action signals the US’s continued efforts to counter Houthi aggression and disrupt their logistical support lines.

The White House has officially stated that the controversy surrounding the recent leak of war plans via the Signal messaging application is now considered closed. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on Monday that measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents from recurring, though she declined to provide specific details.

This declaration effectively ends speculation regarding potential disciplinary action against National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, individuals implicated in the incident. The resolution, however, has drawn criticism. Democratic lawmaker Madeleine Dean has accused Republicans of employing deflection tactics and failing to adequately address the security breach, demanding accountability and further explanation.

Speaking at a summit in Bucha, Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for Russia to be held accountable for alleged war crimes committed since the 2022 invasion. Marking the third anniversary of the withdrawal of Russian forces from Bucha, Zelenskyy cited over 183,000 documented crimes linked to Russian aggression.

President Zelenskyy emphasized that this figure does not encompass the full scope of alleged crimes committed in currently occupied Ukrainian territories. He stressed the necessity of robust international law to safeguard Ukrainians and European society from future threats. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy asserted that justice is paramount to prevent the spread of evil, advocating for continued pressure and sanctions on Russia to contain further escalation of the conflict and related abuses. Russia has not yet commented on the remarks, but previously denied these accusations.