Kyiv: Victor Medvedevchuk, a pro-Russian opposition leader in Ukraine and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has been arrested. He was arrested during a special operation conducted by the Ukrainian intelligence agency SBU. The head of the National Security Agency of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov confirmed the arrest on the agency’s telegram channel.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky also shared a photo of Victor in handcuffs on social media. Ukraine has said it will release Medvedev if prisoners of war are released.
Victor, who was under house arrest on treason charges, went into hiding shortly after the outbreak of the war. Victor Medvedevchuk, 67, is the leader of the pro-Russian opposition party and a staunch opponent of Ukraine’s move to join NATO.