Pitbull stolen by Russian soldiers and given to Putin crony returned to Ukrainian owner in New Year’s prisoner exchange

A DOG stolen by Russian soldiers and gifted to one of Putin’s cronies has finally been returned to its Ukrainian owner. American Pit Bull Terrier Adik was taken in June by cruel troops before reportedly being handed to Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of the Chechen region, as a “trophy.” TwitterAmerican Pit Bull Terrier Adik was freed in the New Year prisoner swap[/caption] AFP - GettyThe dog was gifted to Putin’s close pal and Chechen leader Ramzan Kaydrov[/caption] AlamyOver 200 prisoners were freed in the exchange between Russia and Ukraine[/caption] But the pinched pooch has now been reunited with its beloved owner, a Ukrainian servicewoman, as part of a New Year prisoner swap. Russia freed 140 Ukrainian soldiers as well as Adik in the December 31 exchange on the 310th day of the war. The adorable canine was taken captive from Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol alongside his owner. Putin‘s men rounded up Ukrainians who bravely stayed in the decimated city as they battled to defend it. Adik was turned over to the special services before volunteer Yuriy Kovanov offered the pup to the Russian President’s close pal Kadyrov – who is notorious for inflicting medieval torture on opponents. He has been described as “the son Putin never had,” such is his slavish devotion to the war-hungry tyrant. The Chechen leader renamed the hijacked American Pit Bull Terrier ‘Adidas’ after accepting the gift from the Russian goon. Adik’s safe return was announced on Twitter alongside the message: “Ukraine needs everyone! “A pit bull terrier, who was defending Mariupol together with our soldiers, was released from RuZZsian captivity!” Another tweet shared by animal rights group UAnimals in June 2022 detailed Adik’s story in a dramatic video. The shocking footage showed the dog looking “visibly nervous as if it knew what would happen to them next.” He was then seen being petted by a man with a long plaited beard who bears a striking resemblance to Kadyrov. Adik and more than 200 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers were freed in the prisoner swap at a string of undisclosed locations. Over 140 of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops were seen pouring out of several buses sporting smiles of relief. Some of the soldiers – 132 men and eight women – had courageously defended the city of Mariupol. Others were part of the incredible crew pushing back Russians on Snake Island who defiantly refused to surrender. A large number of them were still struggling with injuries sustained in the conflict, according to Telegram channel Yermak. Russia’s Defence Ministry announced today that a total of 82 Russian soldiers had been released by Ukraine. Both sides have exchanged hundreds of prisoners in recent months, despite diplomatic talks between Moscow and Kyiv collapsing. TwitterAdik has now been reunited with his owner after they were taken captive in Mariupol[/caption] APKadyrov is said to have renamed the pinched pooch ‘Adidas’[/caption] Over 140 Ukrainian troops were freed in the prisoner exchange with RussiaRex