Ukraine arrests close Putin friend dubbed ‘the prince of darkness’ as Zelensky offers to trade him for captured soldiers

UKRAINIAN operatives have captured a senior Russian oligarch and close pal of Vladimir Putin chilling named ‘the prince of darkness’. Viktor Medvedchuk, 67, was snatched in a covert raid by spooks from Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, on Tuesday. Medvedchuk was arrested by Ukrainian security services on TuesdayAFP ReutersRussia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a meeting with leader of Ukraine’s Opposition Platform – For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk in Saint Petersburg in 2019[/caption] Pictures shared by the country’s president Volodomyr Zelenskiy show the dishevelled media magnate and former MP donning Ukrainian military fatigues. A spokesman from the SBU said the oligarch had been captured in a “lightning-fast and dangerous” special operation. On Wednesday President Zelenskiy proposed swapping Medvedchuk for prisoners of war being held by brutal Russian forces. Medvedchuk has been branded the ‘grey cardinal’ and ‘the prince of darkness’ for his influence in Ukraine’s business and political landscape. READ MORE UKRAINE STORES IN HELL Ukraine updates as Brit volunteer 'Johnny' captured by Putin's evil soldiers GRIM OMEN Putin VOWS to continue war in Ukraine as Biden says Russia committing 'genocide' While tyrant Putin – whom Medvedchuk has described as a “personal friend” – is godfather to his daughter. They have even holidayed together. As leader of the country’s main pro-Moscow party in Ukraine – the Opposition Platform For Life – he was the Kremlin’s most trusted and influential lieutenant in Ukraine. He held the role in the party, which has the second highest number of seats in the Ukrainian parliament, until last month, when the party moved to replace him. Most read in World News GRIM FIND Mystery as Brit man found dead in waste tip after vanishing from Spanish hotel AQUARIUM PANIC Terrifying moment dolphin attacks trainer in front of families at Miami park BLADE HORROR Hero Brit stabbed to death as he defended backpacker in hostel 'knife attack' BEAST IN THE EAST Russian soldiers found rotting as Putin continues slaughter in the east FIRE AND FURY Tyson Fury told to cut ties with drug lord as US hits gangster with sanctions LAST PIC 'Evil’ mum seen with daughter before 'killing her with ketamine jab in hospital' The party’s activities have been suspended since Ukraine introduced martial law in February. and a former presidential advisor, A trained lawyer and wealthy businessman who served in political roles since the 1990s, Medvedchuk had been placed under house arrest last year to face treason and terrorism financing charges, which he denies. He escaped a few days after the Russian launched their full scale invasion of Ukraine in February. The whereabouts of the oligarch has been unknown since he went on the run and many assumed he may have been smuggled into Russia. The Kremlin have claimed the photos of Medvedchuk are fake without providing evidence of their claims. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman said: “There are a lot of fakes coming from Ukraine. This needs to be checked first.” Medvedchuk was accused of trying to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow. Read More on The Sun LAWLESS Inside town ‘held to ransom’ by gangs where cops are ‘too scared’ to catch crooks mega blow Harry & Meg SNUBBED by Dutch royals on 1st trip abroad after swerving ‘unsafe’ UK When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the oligarch reportedly paid only $40,000 for shares in a Russian oil refinery, Yug Energo – the deal has since netted him tens of millions of dollars in profits, according to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Ivan Bakanov, the head of the SBU, said: “Not a single traitor will escape punishment,” APMedvedchuk was found donning Ukrainian military fatigues[/caption]