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Viktor Medvedchuk in handcuffs: The photo was published by the Ukrainian President's press office on Tuesday
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Uncredited / dpa
Ukraine's intelligence service has arrested Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's closest ally in Ukrainian politics, oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk.
This was announced by the SBU secret service in Kyiv on Tuesday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the success of the agents in a special operation on Facebook.
The SBU released photos of Medvedchuk handcuffed and wearing a Ukrainian uniform.
The big businessman and politician Medvedchuk has been considered a key figure in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv for years.
The 67-year-old's connection to Putin sometimes allowed him to act as a mediator.
However, his political projects and the television channels he controlled represented pro-Russian positions.
Selenskyj had the transmitters closed.
In May 2021, Medvedchuk was placed under house arrest on charges of high treason.
He withdrew from this a few days before the Russian attack on Ukraine.
According to Medvedchuk, Putin is the godfather of his youngest daughter.
As a deputy, Medvedchuk headed the main pro-Russian opposition group in Ukraine.
He dismisses the allegations against him as politically motivated.
"No traitor will escape punishment, and he will be held accountable under the law of Ukraine," SBU chief Ivan Bakanov commented on Tuesday's arrest.
Selenskyj, in turn, suggested on Wednesday night that the arrested person be exchanged for Ukrainians in Russian captivity.
Medvedchuk disguised himself with a uniform, so he should be treated under martial law.
"I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange their boy for our boys and girls in Russian captivity," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Tuesday evening in Kyiv.
aar/dpa
