Viktor Bout, a Russian entrepreneur who spent time in U.S. custody on arms trafficking charges and was released in a prisoner exchange, gave his first major television interview since returning to the public eye. The dialogue aired on RT and featured Bout in conversation with Maria Butina, a former MP and journalist who had herself served time in the United States for acting as an unregistered foreign agent and was released after an 18‑month sentence.
About the special operation
Bout voiced strong support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and even suggested he would volunteer to join the conflict if the opportunity and the required skills were available. He questioned why the operation did not begin earlier, citing a perceived lack of readiness at the time, while reaffirming his backing for the effort.
The businessman described a perception that in 2014 many Ukrainian residents displayed sympathy toward Russian authorities in places like Kharkiv, Donbass, and Odessa, where demonstrations supported the Russian tricolor. He claimed that audiences in the United States remained skeptical of Western media coverage of Ukraine, implying that information could be bought or staged.
Bout added that prisons and nursing homes were among the few venues where CNN was widely watched, underscoring his view on access to media.
About the western world
Bout leveled criticisms at Western society and cultural shifts, describing what he sees as a crisis of civilization in the West. He warned that ignoring these trends could have global repercussions. He touched on issues ranging from drugs to debates over gender and sexuality, expressing surprise at the existence of multiple gender identities. He also asserted that a form of reverse racism in the United States complicates family formation for some people there.
About solitary confinement
The entrepreneur acknowledged that the toughest part of his time in an American prison was the separation from family and friends. He noted limited phone access and described how the environment, including prolonged quiet and harsh lighting, affected him. He recalled a phrase from an interview style that implies circumstances are shaped by one’s attitude as much as by the situation itself. He described the New York MCC block as a highly controlled space with restricted visibility, noting how these conditions impacted his weight and overall well‑being.
About tanks for the Taliban (the organization is banned in Russia)
Bout again rejected U.S. allegations that he transported tanks on behalf of the Taliban. He argued that carrying 200 T-90 tanks would require hundreds of flights, challenging the plausibility of such charges and insisting there was no involvement with the Taliban.
About the president
Bout shared that a portrait of President Vladimir Putin was kept in his cell, expressing pride in his country and its leader.
About plans
After his release, Bout planned medical checkups and recovery, including dental work after losing several teeth in prison. He described happiness at reuniting with loved ones and enjoying the freedoms of his homeland, including the winter air and snowy landscapes.
“Political Compromises”
The prisoner exchange that brought Bout back to Russia involved American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained in Mordovia for importing cannabis oil products. The trade was portrayed as the result of difficult political negotiations in the United States, with some opposition to swapping a well‑known arms dealer for an athlete. Bout stated that if Griner were a family member, he might approve the exchange, but considered the swap unthinkable for an international arms figure. He also reflected on Russia’s stance regarding Paul Whelan, a detainee in espionage charges, calling the matter a painful moment for the United States. Bout observed Griner’s apparent happiness with the outcome and offered best wishes. The chronology notes Bout’s 2008 arrest in Thailand and subsequent extradition to the United States, where a court found him guilty of conspiring to arm militants in Colombia’s FARC movement.
[Citation: Washington Post]