Ukrainian security services have announced the arrest of Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Ukraine, oligarch and opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk, in what they called a “lightning-fast and dangerous” operation.
The capture of Medvedchuk, who escaped from house arrest on charges of treason days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was first announced by President Vladimir Zelensky, who posted a photo of the detainee on social media, disheveled, handcuffed and wearing army uniforms. Patch of the Ukrainian flag.
Viktor Medvedchuk in handcuffs and wearing an army uniform. Photo: Instagram account of Vladimir Zelenski / AFP / Getty Images
“A special operation was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine. Very good! “Zelensky wrote in the Telegram and later offered to exchange him for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.
“I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange this man of yours for our boys and our girls, who are now in Russian captivity,” Zelensky said in a video message published in the Telegram.
Medvedchuk became rich from Russian oil interests and his proximity to the Kremlin.
Putin is the godfather of his youngest daughter, and Medvedchuk’s coalition, Opposition For Life, is pursuing a pro-Moscow program until he was accused of treason in May 2021, accused of selling Russia’s military secrets and exploiting natural resources of Crimea under Russia profession. He denied any wrongdoing and was under house arrest before fleeing the first days of the invasion.
Investigators who went to Medvedchuk’s house found a replica of a retro Pullman wagon, lavishly decorated with gold fittings on a mock-up of a train station hidden under a tarpaulin.
His $ 200m Royal Romance 93-meter yacht was confiscated in the Croatian port of Rijeka last month.
Victor Medvedchuk’s yacht, Royal Romance, in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo: Matija Djangesic / Cropix / Sipa / Rex / Shutterstock
In January, the United States sanctioned Medvedchuk and three other Moscow-backed Ukrainian politicians, accusing them of plotting to form a collaborating government after the Russian invasion.
In March, Zelensky also shut down Medvedchuk’s party, Ukraine’s largest opposition group, and several other smaller political parties linked to Moscow.
Medvedchuk’s arrest and accusation have angered Putin, who has threatened to respond to what he sees as political persecution.
It was not immediately clear where and how he was captured.
The head of the Security Service (SBU), Ivan Bakanov, thanked his investigators and counterintelligence officers, who “proved their professionalism and conducted a lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation to detain Deputy Medvedchuk.”
“You can hide from justice. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform to cover up … But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! “Reads a tweet from the SBU.
Kyiv’s repression of Medvedchuk has angered the Kremlin, with Putin promising at one point to “respond” to what he called political persecution.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not comment on news of Medvedchuk’s capture, telling Russian reporters that “there are many counterfeits from Ukraine” and “this needs to be checked first.”
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