Ukrainian authorities have recaptured Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk months after he escaped from house arrest in the early days of the Russian invasion.
Medvedchuk – who claims the Russian president is his daughter’s godfather – was placed under house arrest in Ukraine last year on charges of treason. He escaped in February.
After his arrest by security services, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published a photo of Medvedchuk in handcuffs and a Ukrainian military uniform on his Telegram channel on Tuesday, suggesting that he has been arrested again.
“Thanks to them, a special operation was carried out [Ukrainian Security Service]. Well done!” Zelensky wrote. “Details later. Honor to Ukraine!”
He is accused of funding pro-Kremlin separatists in the Donbass region and looting national resources in Crimea after Russia’s annexation in 2014, according to Ukrainian newspaper Hromadske.
Vladimir Putin’s close friend Viktor Medvedchuk is seen handcuffed after Ukraine’s Security Service conducted a special operation in Ukraine. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Medvedchuk was placed under house arrest in Ukraine last year on charges of treason and escaped in February. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Viktor Medvedchuk (right) in the Kyiv Court of Appeal during a hearing in Kyiv May 21, 2021. AFP via Getty Images/Sergei Supinsky
Medvedchuk is a longtime friend of Putin and claims the Russian president is his child’s godfather. AFP via Getty Images/Sergei Supinsky
Medvedchuk is the leader of the Ukrainian political party Opposition Platform – For Life. The movement is considered by critics to be the largest pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.
The Washington Post reported in February that the party was viewed as a possible pool of politicians to form a pro-Kremlin puppet government should Russia’s invasion of Ukraine succeed.
Medvedchuck has known Putin for more than 20 years and has visited him several times at his dacha in Sochi, the newspaper reported.