Historic Prisoner Exchange: Russia Releases U.S. Detainees

A significant prisoner exchange occurred, with Russia releasing U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. This exchange, the largest of its kind since the Cold War, involved multiple countries and 24 prisoners. The negotiations took place secretly for over a year.

A plane carrying detainees released by Russia landed in the United States late on Thursday at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, according to media footage.

Russia freed U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan on Thursday in an unprecedented prisoner exchange. This is considered the most significant exchange since the Cold War.

The White House disclosed that the trade was negotiated with Russia, Germany, and three other countries. The year-long secret deal involved 24 prisoners, including 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight from the West to Russia.