Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout expresses support for Putin after prisoner swap with WNBA's Griner

Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death," was exchanged for Brittney Griner in a December 2022 prisoner swap.
Bout and Griner briefly interacted during the swap, with Bout saying he wished her "good luck."
After returning to Russia, Bout expressed sympathy for Griner as a pawn in geopolitics and criticized leaders who "play chess" with detainees.
Bout has since joined a Russian political party and is running for a regional assembly seat, highlighting the Kremlin's desire for new loyal faces in government.
The prisoner exchange drew criticism from some US officials but was defended by the Biden administration as difficult but necessary negotiations.