Russia has added former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to its wanted list, along with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his predecessor Petro Poroshenko. Tymoshenko, a member of the Batkivshchyna party, is wanted on unspecified criminal charges, according to Russian state media reports. The list also includes officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries, such as Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
One of the reasons cited for Kallas being wanted is Estonia’s efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments to Red Army soldiers, considered symbols of past oppression. Russia has laws against the “rehabilitation of Nazism” including punishing those who “desecrate” war memorials. The list also includes cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court prosecutor who prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges.
Russia has also charged the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with “terrorist” activities, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. Additionally, the Ukrainian military intelligence chief is facing charges in Moscow.
Despite the reports of being on Russia’s wanted list, Tymoshenko and her party did not provide immediate comment on the matter. The situation further escalates tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as with NATO and EU member countries whose officials are also on the list. The international community will be closely monitoring the developments in this ongoing saga.
Source
Photo credit apnews.com