The authoritarian ruler of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has offered to release Ukrainian prisoners of war in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against his family members and horses, Russian media reported on January 5. Kadyrov, a loyal Kremlin ally, said he provided a list of 20 Ukrainian captives to American author Scott Ritter -- a disgraced former UN weapons inspector, and regular contributor to Russian state media -- who was visiting Chechnya. Kadyrov said the captives “were taken in Donetsk and Luhansk.” To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Russian Service, click here.
Chechen Leader Offers Ukrainian Captives In Exchange For Lifting Sanctions On His Family
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov (file photo)