UK Defence Secretary Says He Would “Kidnap” Putin

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has made strong remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he would support taking Putin into custody to face justice over alleged war crimes committed during the war in Ukraine.

Healey made the comments during a one-day visit to Kyiv on Friday, only hours after Russia carried out a heavy missile and drone assault on several parts of Ukraine, including the capital.

While in Kyiv, Healey met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the presidential palace, where he also announced that the United Kingdom will invest £200 million to help prepare British troops for a future peacekeeping role in Ukraine.

Speaking to the Kyiv Independent while touring the site of a drone strike on a damaged high-rise residential building, Healey said that if he were given the power to detain any world leader, he would choose Putin to hold him responsible for war crimes.

His statement came shortly after the United States carried out the controversial arrest of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.

Healey pointed to events he personally witnessed in Ukraine, including his visit to Bucha, where mass graves were discovered after Russian forces withdrew in 2022. He also referred to the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, saying he had met some of the affected families during earlier visits, including in the city of Irpin.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 over accusations that Ukrainian children were forcibly taken to Russia. The ICC says hundreds of children, including orphans, were deported during the conflict.

At the Kyiv strike site, Healey said the destruction clearly showed Russia’s intent to target civilians and vital infrastructure, particularly during winter when people rely heavily on electricity, heating, and water supplies.

“This is not just a war against Ukraine’s military,” he said, adding that civilians, cities, and essential services have repeatedly been hit.

Healey stressed that Putin must be stopped and said Britain’s goal is to support Ukraine both on the battlefield and in securing lasting peace in the future.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles in Thursday night’s attack. Kyiv was among the hardest-hit areas, with apartment buildings catching fire. At least four people were killed and 24 others injured.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as a “massive enemy missile attack,” noting that several neighbourhoods lost electricity and running water due to strikes on critical infrastructure.

Russian forces also reportedly fired the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile at the western city of Lviv. The missile, which can carry nuclear warheads, has only been used once before in combat. Moscow claims it cannot be intercepted.

Click to Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Click to Join Our WhatsApp Channel.