© U.S. NAVY/Mass Communication Specialist 3RD Class Samuel SouvannasonFILE: Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Red Sea
According to the state-run Tass news agency, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov and the missile cruiser Varyag were among the Russian warships that entered the Red Sea. Although their ultimate destination and purpose are unknown, the warships are part of a long-range naval campaign.
The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for several months as revenge for what they believe to be Israeli military activity in Gaza. Due to these disturbances, many vessels have had to reroute their routes.
The group has engaged with China and Russia, offering safe passage via the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in exchange for political support in international forums such as the United Nations Security Council.
Despite claiming to target ships associated with Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the Houthis have mistakenly struck warships from other countries, including Russia and China.
The threats to shipping in the area are highlighted by recent occurrences like missiles detonating close to a Russian oil tanker and an attack on an oil tanker owned by China.
Comment: That claim might need checking, because the propaganda press routinely claim that all shipping in the region is a target, when that is demonstrably not the case. They attempt to conflate a ships registrations and links with various nations as 'proof' of this, however Yemen has refrained from targeting any ship not linked to a country directly involved in facilitating the genocide.
Most Western maritime companies have taken longer routes around southern Africa than crossing the strait. However, US and UK warships have begun attacking Houthi locations in Yemen to dissuade further attacks.
Iran, a country that backs the Houthis, has also deployed a spy ship close to the Red Sea, and a French warship is also active in the area.
Varyag and Marshal Shaposhnikov were among the ships that participated in joint naval exercises between China, Russia, and Iran earlier this month in the Indian Ocean. The goal of the exercises was to improve marine security, which included anti-piracy.
Russia is interested in creating a naval port on the Red Sea in Sudan, but civil war could postpone or disrupt these efforts.
The disruption of marine transportation caused by the attacks on commercial vessels has raised oil demand and the possibility of shortages later in the year. This situation affects the international commerce and energy markets.
The already intricate geopolitical dynamics in the area take on an additional aspect with the arrival of Russian warships in the Red Sea.
Does the author not believe there is any Israeli military activity in Gaza? Who is Marine Insight?