The long-awaited prisoner exchange between Russia, the US, and four European countries is finally underway in Ankara, Turkey. Among the prisoners being released are three US citizens imprisoned in Russia, including former US Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained since 2020.
The exchange, which involves at least 24 prisoners in total, is a significant diplomatic move that aims to improve relations between the countries involved. Among the Russian nationals expected to be returned to Russia is Vadim Krasikov, a colonel in Russia’s FSB intelligence service who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a Kremlin opponent in Berlin.
Speculation about the exchange had been mounting in recent days, especially after several dissidents and journalists jailed in Russia were mysteriously moved to unknown locations. The release of well-known prisoners like Kremlin opponent Vladimir Kara-Murza and opposition politician Ilya Yashin has also been anticipated.
If all the releases go through, this prisoner exchange will be one of the largest in history between Russia and the West. The last high-profile swap took place in 2022, involving US basketball star Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Prior to that, a similar exchange occurred in Vienna in 2010, involving Russian spies and alleged double agents.
Tensions between Moscow and the West have been strained in recent years, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The prisoner exchange is seen as a step towards easing these tensions and fostering better diplomatic relations between the countries involved.
