Medvedchuk leaves Turkey for Russia
Former Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, recently swapped in a prisoner ex-change, has left Turkey for Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sept. 23, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
“We have 200 people under our control,” Erdogan said.
“On one of them (Medvedchuk - ed.) Putin insisted in particular. We have already sent him to Russia.”
According to him, the persons released as part of the exchange are “guests of Turkey”.
On Sept 21., Ukraine returned 215 defenders from Russian captivity in the largest prisoner swap since the beginning of the full-scale war. 108 of them members of the Azov Regiment, captured following the fall of Mariupol.
Five of the released Azov commanders were exchanged for 55 Russian soldiers. They will re-main in Turkey under guarantees of protection and security.
In exchange for the remaining 210 fighters, Ukraine transferred Medvedchuk, who is charged with treason, to Russia.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that the exchange was “traumatic” for Medvedchuk.
“As a political factor, as an oligarch, as a businessman, as an agent of influence, he is completely declassed,” they noted.
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