Financial news

Ukraine intelligence chief arrested in absentia by Russia court for second time – JURIST

The Basmanny District Court of Moscow ruled to arrest Ukrainian Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov in absentia for the second time this year, accusing him of committing over 104 crimes including acts of terror.Budanov, who heads the Ukrainian intelligence agency Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR), has been involved in numerous operations against Russian forces since they invaded Ukraine in 2022. He has become a public figure, engaging in an ongoing “information war” with Russia and has been the target of several assassination attempts including a car bombing. These latest charges include committing an act of terror by a group that inflicted significant losses and an act of terror by a group under Article 205 of the Criminal Code Of The Russian Federation. In November, his wife was poisoned by heavy metals in a reported attempt on her life. Several other GUR employees were also poisoned, necessitating medical intervention.He was arrested in absentia back in April 2023 for his alleged involvement in the explosion on the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Crimea region to mainland Russia. In that case, he is charged with creating a terrorist community, launching a terrorist attack committed by a group of persons and possession of weapons and explosives. At the time he said of the arrest, “I’m pleased. This is a good indicator of our work, I undertake to work even better.”Alongside Budanov, Russian authorities have also arrested in absential the Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Naval Forces Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa and the commander of the 383rd Separate Regiment of Remote-controlled aircraft of the Air Force Serhii Burdeniuk.