Former US Marine Paul Whelan, US journalist Evan Gershkovich, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were released by Russia and landed in the United States late on August 1, 2024. They were part of an extraordinary swap deal between Washington and Moscow, negotiated as part of a 24-person prisoner exchange that involved at least six countries. The release was described as the largest prisoner exchange in post-Soviet history. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were present at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to greet the three prisoners upon their arrival. The swap also included Russian colonel jailed for a Berlin murder and a total of 10 Russians, including two minors, were exchanged for 16 Westerners and Russians imprisoned in Russia. The exchange was hailed as a feat of diplomacy by President Biden and was noted to have ended the prisoners’ “agony.” The released prisoners were seen holding an American flag as they arrived in the United States, with their families awaiting them at the base. The exchange involved a mix of journalists, former military personnel, and opposition activists, marking a significant diplomatic effort to secure the release of individuals held in Russia.
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Russian prisoners Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva safely in the United States
