A notorious arms dealer, who is known as the ‘Merchant of Death’, has said he would help Vladimir Putin in his war after being freed by the United States of America.

Viktor Bout was freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange with Russia earlier this week, and has stated he would volunteer to fight in Ukraine.

Yesterday, Gazeta wrote on Twitter that Bout had spoken about the "special operation" in Ukraine: "If I had the opportunity and the necessary skills, I would, of course, volunteer."

READ MORE: Putin says West is 'exploiting' Ukraine and using its people as 'cannon fodder'

The social post also referenced an article from the publication where Bout expressed support for Putin’s war in Ukraine.

It was the arms dealer's first TV interview after 11 years in an American jail. He said he was the first to go through this "experiment" and he was made to be "an example" for other Russians.

According to Newsweek, Bout said: "A Russian man like me, I never understood why we didn't do this earlier.

"Of course, I do understand that not everyone was ready. I fully support the special military operation,"

Bout said that he is enjoying his return to Moscow, with his friends and loved ones, as well as the snowy weather.

Adding that wanting to have a family and "being a normal person".

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Bout returned to Russia in a prisoner exchange that saw basketball star Brittney Griner going home to Texas.

Griner had been arrested in Moscow back in February for carrying cannabis oil.

It comes as Ukrainians are asking frontline Russian soldiers to go on "strike" in a bid to stop Vladimir Putin.

A Ukrainian serviceman, Vinnie, said his country is sick of the "lies" being fed to Russian citizens.

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“[Putin] is a piece of s***, a human who really lies to the Russian citizens,” he told the Telegraph.

A military expert has also issued a chilling warning that Vladimir Putin could resort to nuclear weapons.

Dr Malcolm Davis, senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, cautioned the Russian President he faced the "end of his life" if he lost his bloody war in Ukraine.

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