Known as a compadre of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Víctor Medvedchuk is a Ukrainian deputy associated with his anti-Western leanings, his closeness to the Kremlin and his support for operations in Donbas and Crimea. Now that he has been captured, Ukraine proposes an exchange so that the children who are in the hands of Moscow are returned.
Through Telegram, President Volodímir Zelenski announced the arrest of the also businessman and billionaire – according to Forbes, he has a fortune of more than 600 million dollars – who was wearing a Ukrainian army uniform. Medvedchuk was under house arrest since 2021 when he was charged with “high treason” and “attempted looting of Crimean natural resources”.
(Also read: Ukraine: Russian troops use mobile crematoria to eliminate evidence)
From Moscow it has been said that the information has not yet been confirmed despite the fact that kyiv has released a photograph of the “friend of Putin” as he is also known.
Profile of Medvedchuk
Medvedchuk is married to a Ukrainian TV presenter. In that marriage there are two daughters, one of them 17 years old, who would be the goddaughter of the Russian president. He is also one of the 12 richest men in Ukraine and is considered one of the “Seven of kyiv”, a group made up of businessmen in charge of importing oil to that country.
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Local media reports that he has a law firm, a yacht, a private jet and a large collection of luxury vehicles.
After his capture, Zelensky said “a special operation was carried out thanks to the SBU. Well done! Details later. Glory to Ukraine!” The Ukrainian intelligence service carried out the operation.
Putin’s compadre had escaped from house arrest on February 24, the day the Russian invasion began.
INTERNATIONAL WRITING
With information from Efe and AFP
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