WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich ... fellow American Paul Whelan, [Alsu Kurmasheva — a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship — Vladimir Kara-Murza, multiple associates of Navalny. Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights campaigner convicted of discrediting the Russian military, Ilya Yashin, imprisoned for criticizing the war in Ukraine and others in a multinational deal setting free two dozen journalists, suspected spies, political prisoners and others].
Gershkovich, Whelan and [Kurmasheva] arrived [at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland] shortly before midnight for a joyful reunion with their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also were [there to welcome them home].
The trade unfolded despite [Washington-Moscow relations] at their lowest point since the Cold War …
...The U.S. and allies gave up Russians charged or convicted of serious crimes in exchange for [prisoners held by Russia’s] highly politicized legal system on charges seen by the West as trumped-up….
...All told, six countries released at least one prisoner and a seventh, Turkey [hosted] the location for the swap, in Ankara.
More at the APnews article and there are many others as well.
E.g., usatoday
The historic swap followed months of negotiations and involved 24 prisoners across six countries −16 individuals detained in Russia in exchange for eight people held in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Slovenia and Poland. The key concession was the return of Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov, who was in jail in Germany….
..."The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship," Biden said earlier Thursday as he announced the swap. "For anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter."…
