Russian court issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian intelligence chief

Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kirill Budanov (Photo: Reuters).

A Moscow court on December 25 issued an arrest warrant for the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Kirill Budanov. Budanov is accused of directing 104 "terrorist attacks" against Russia.

The warrant was issued in absentia, but if Mr Budanov is extradited to Russia or arrested by Russian law enforcement, he will be detained for at least two months.

In early October, the Russian Investigative Committee identified Mr. Budanov as one of four suspects who masterminded more than 100 "terrorist attacks" using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against Russian civilian infrastructure.

Previously, in April, the Lefortovo District Court in Moscow also issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Budanov for plotting terrorism and illegal handling of explosives.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) had previously named Mr. Budanov, 37, as the organizer of the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge on October 8, 2022. The explosion set fire to seven fuel tanks on a train running on the bridge. Part of the roadway on two spans of the bridge collapsed, killing three people.

Mr Budanov has openly supported Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. He initially blamed them on Russian opposition forces, but later admitted Kiev was responsible. Ukrainian officials have vowed to carry out more such attacks.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/toa-an-nga-phat-lenh-bat-lanh-dao-tinh-bao-ukraine-20231225190849089.htm