Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death,” who was released in a prisoner swap with American basketball player Brittney Griner, told Kremlin-controlled media on Friday that Western countries are trying to “destroy” and “disunite” Russia. The Moscow Times reports.

“The West believes that it did not end us in 1990, when the collapse of the Soviet Union began, and that it was not able to end us… They think that they can destroy us again and divide Russia,” Bout said on state television station RT. .

Russia’s foreign ministry announced Thursday that it had released American basketball player Brittney Griner to receive Russian Viktor Bout in a prisoner exchange.

The 55-year-old “merchant of death” has been accused of arming rebels in some of the world’s bloodiest conflicts.

Bout clarified for RT that he did not encounter “Russophobia” among the prisoners of the American prison, adding that practically “almost all the prisoners” felt some “sympathy for Russia”.

Lord of War, a film inspired by “Death Bargain”

Booth’s fame inspired the Hollywood film Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage, in which the anti-hero escaped justice.

In an interview with state media, Booth criticized the film and said that the American film industry is responsible for producing pro-Washington propaganda.

“If he had come to me and asked me, he might have come up with a more interesting story. Today’s Hollywood, in my opinion, is just a propaganda department (not Washington),” Booth said.