Ukraine announces arrest of pro-Russian tycoon
Ukraine’s security services said on April 12 that they had arrested pro-Russian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk in a special operation they described as “speedy”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously posted a photo showing Medvedchuk handcuffed with a tired face.
“A special operation was carried out by the Ukrainian security service. Well done!” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He then proposed exchanging Medvedchuk with Ukrainian prisoners of war being held by Russia.
Viktor Medvedchuk was handcuffed and dressed in military uniform when he was arrested. Image: AFP.
The businessman Medvedchuk, and leader of the Opposition for Life of Ukraine party, is said to have made his fortune thanks to Russian oil and close ties to the Kremlin. Forbes magazine estimates Medvedchuk is worth around $620 million.
Medvedchuk’s party pursued a pro-Moscow agenda before he was charged with treason in May 2021 for selling military secrets to Russia and exploiting natural resources in Crimea at the request of Moscow. . Medvedchuk denied wrongdoing and was placed under house arrest before fleeing in February, just days after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
After more than a month and a half of the campaign, Russia withdrew its troops from the area around the capital Kiev and the city of Chernihiv to focus on the Donbass region, eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on April 12 that he had no choice but to make the “right decision” to launch this campaign to achieve “a noble goal”. He affirmed that fighting with “anti-Russian forces in Ukraine” was inevitable.
Vu Hoang (According to Guardian, Reuters)
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