Ukraine’s security services announced on Tuesday that they had arrested pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedev, who is the closest and most powerful ally of President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier posted a photo of a tired and handcuffed Medvedchuk, who says Putin is his daughter’s godfather. In February, Kyiv said Medvenchuk, the leader of the opposition Platform for Life party, had escaped from house arrest. Last year, authorities opened a treason case against Medvedchuk, who denies any wrongdoing. “You can be a pro-Russian politician and work for the aggressive state for years. You may have been hiding from justice lately. “You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform for camouflage,” the security services said in an online post. “But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! “Bonds are waiting for you and the same is true for traitors in Ukraine like you.” Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Mariupol has not been verified, but an expected development as Moscow faces setbacks, says Ukrainian general The post reported that Ivan Bakanov, the head of the intelligence service, said that his agents “carried out a lightning and dangerous multi-level special operation” to arrest Medveτσuk, but gave no details. Last month, Zelensky said that the Opposition Platform – For Life, Ukraine’s largest opposition movement – and many other smaller political parties with ties to Russia had been suspended. A Medvedchuk spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Our Morning and Afternoon newsletters are compiled by Globe editors, giving you a brief overview of the day’s most important headlines. Register today.
