Multiple sources, including Bloomberg and RIA Novosti, report that American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange involving several countries. The exchange, which has been the subject of speculation for days, appears to be underway, with both men reportedly en route to destinations outside of Russia.This development comes after a series of mysterious disappearances of high-profile prisoners from Russian colonies and signs of preparation for a major exchange. Since July 26, at least eight prisoners have gone missing from Russian detention facilities, including prominent opposition figures and activists. A Russian government plane, previously used for prisoner swaps, was spotted flying from Moscow to Kaliningrad and back, fueling speculation about the exchange.The Kremlin has consistently declined to comment on the reports, maintaining secrecy around the operation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, ‘I still have no comments on this matter’. However, lawyer Ivan Pavlov noted, ‘The situation is unique in the sense that we hear several high-profile figures are being moved at the same time. Given the number (of prisoners being moved), we understand that a swap is expected’.The exchange is believed to involve multiple countries, including the US, Russia, Germany, and Belarus. Other individuals potentially involved in the swap include Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British opposition figure, and German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death in Belarus.While official confirmation is still pending, this exchange would mark a significant diplomatic development in US-Russia relations. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March 2023 and sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges, which were widely condemned as baseless by the US government and his employer. Whelan has been detained since December 2018, also on espionage charges.
Key points
- American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia in a major prisoner exchange.
- The exchange involves multiple countries, including the US, Russia, Germany, and Belarus.
- A Russian government plane used in previous swaps was spotted flying between Moscow and Kaliningrad, fueling speculation about the exchange.
- The Kremlin has consistently declined to comment on the reports, maintaining secrecy around the operation.
Contradictionsđź‘ľWhile most sources report the exchange as confirmed, the Kremlin has consistently refused to comment, creating some uncertainty about the official status of the exchange.
