Bout says he supports Russia’s special operation in Ukraine

Viktor Bout, who this week returned to Russia from the United States, where he was serving a sentence on charges of illegal arms trafficking and supporting terrorism, has declared his support for the Russian military special operation in Ukraine. About this he told in an interview with Russia Today TV channel.

Commenting on the special operation announced in February by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bout said he did not understand why it had not been done earlier. He mentioned how, in 2014, the residents of Kharkiv, in particular, carried the Russian tricolor.

“It is clear that there were no conditions, we were not ready. I wholeheartedly support [спецоперацию]if I had the opportunity and the necessary skills, I would certainly volunteer, ”Bout said.

Viktor Bout December 8 exchanged at Abu Dhabi airport to basketball player Brittney Greiner, who was detained in February 2022 at Sheremetyevo Airport after vape cartridges with hashish oil were found in her hand luggage. Before the exchange, Greiner and Booth were pardoned, they will not have to serve their sentences in their countries.

After returning to Russia, the Russian expressed gratitude to the American side for the noble and respectful attitude during the exchange. According to his wife Alla, Bout now feels terrible and very exhausted, because he had not slept for three days before.

Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand at the request of Washington, he was charged with illegal arms trafficking and supporting terrorism. Bout spent 2.5 years in prison in Thailand, and then he was extradited to the United States, and in 2012 the court sentenced him to 25 years in prison. The Russian categorically did not admit his guilt.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the exchange of Bout is not a sign of improving relations between the Russian Federation and the United States. These relations continue to remain in a sad state, he stressed, adding that the preparations for the exchange were carried out by the special services of Russia and the United States.