Massive US-Russia prisoner exchange – Putin swaps political prisoners for its spies jailed abroad

A prisoner exchange involving at least twenty-six people has taken place between Russia and the United States in what is expected to be the largest swap in recent years. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan are reportedly among those released.
Gershkovich and Whelan have both been accused of espionage by Russian authorities, a charge they and the U.S. government have consistently denied.
The historic prisoner exchange was coordinated by Turkish National Intelligence Organization, MIT and took place at Ankara airport, Turkish media reported. A Russian government plane landed in Ankara on Thursday, Reuters reported, shortly after MIT’s announcement. A video released by Turkish NTV channel showed one of two aircraft of the special flight squad "Russia" Tu-204-300, which landed at Esenboga airport in Turkey. CBS reported that among the released prisoners is Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was detained in June 2023 on charges of spreading false information about the Russian army. No government officials in Washington, Moscow, or elsewhere have confirmed the prisoner exchange yet.

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