US, Russia swap prisoners, free 24 in multinational effort
The United States and Russia executed the largest prisoner exchange since the Soviet era, leading to the release of 24 detainees from multiple nations.
The historic swap, which took place in Turkey, was marked by the liberation of notable figures such as Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom had been held on controversial espionage charges.
The operation’s success underscores a significant diplomatic achievement for President Joe Biden, who lauded the culmination of years of covert negotiations amidst a backdrop of strained US-Russia relations, intensified by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Evan Gershkovich, detained in March 2023 over unsubstantiated allegations of espionage, and Paul Whelan, imprisoned since 2018 on similarly disputed charges, were among the American nationals freed.
The exchange also saw the return of two other Americans and one green card holder, reflecting a rare moment of cooperation between Washington and Moscow.
In an elaborate and multilayered negotiation involving seven countries, the agreement facilitated the release of 24 individuals, including British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan, who were commended by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy for their resilience and courage in opposing the Russian regime.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre revealed that the complex deal involved the release of Mikhail Mikushin, a suspected Russian military intelligence officer arrested in Norway. Mikushin, who had posed as an academic researcher, was among the detainees whose freedom was secured through extensive international collaboration.
The Turkish government played a crucial role in the logistics of the swap, managing the transfer at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. The detainees, once in Turkey, were monitored by Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT) agents, underwent health evaluations, and were then escorted to their respective flights.
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