Historic Prisoner Exchange Takes Place – Last Minute

It was announced that a historic prisoner swap took place between Western countries and Russia. The Presidency announced that the operation was carried out in Ankara under the organization of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). According to the statement, the swap involving 26 people was the largest swap seen since the Cold War.

It was announced that more than 20 hostages, including three US citizens, were released as part of the swap involving the US, Germany, Poland, Norway and Slovenia on one side, and Russia and Belarus on the other.

In the information note sent to journalists, the Presidency wrote that the operation was carried out under the organization of MİT.

The Presidency announced that “10 hostages, including 2 children, were transferred to Russia, 13 hostages to Germany, and 3 hostages to the United States” as part of the swap.

According to the statement, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (FSB) officer Vadim Krasikov, who is in prison in Germany, is among the people exchanged.

BBC Turkish According to sources he reached, among the names expected to be released by Russia were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American reporter Alsou Kurmasheva.

The presidency also confirmed that Gershkovich and Whelan were involved in the swap.

The statement noted that the parties met in Turkey in July and discussed the process.

After the prisoners were brought to Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport on seven planes, they were exchanged after the necessary health and security checks were carried out.

Largest prisoner swap since the Cold War

There was talk of a major exchange between the countries days beforehand, when well-known prisoners from both sides disappeared from prisons.

Among the names mentioned on the swap list, but not yet confirmed, is Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, who a friend told the BBC it was “only a matter of time” before he was released.