US and Russia complete their largest prisoner exchange since the Soviet era, securing the release of Gershkovich and Whelan.

WASHINGTON (AP)— On Thursday, the United States and Russia conducted a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the most significant swaps between the two nations since the end of the Soviet Union. Russia released American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, as well as several dissidents, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, as part of a complex multinational deal that freed two dozen people in total.

This exchange occurred despite strained relations between Washington and Moscow, which have been at their lowest since the Cold War, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Initial negotiations explored the possibility of including Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but the deal ultimately focused on a 24-person swap, involving significant concessions from European allies. These included the release of a Russian national convicted of assassination in Germany, and the freedom of journalists, political prisoners, and others detained in Russia.

President Joe Biden highlighted the exchange as a diplomatic achievement while welcoming the returning Americans’ families to the White House. He emphasized that securing the release of U.S. citizens held abroad is a top priority, though such deals often involve trade-offs, including the release of individuals charged or convicted of serious crimes in exchange for the freedom of those held in politically motivated cases.

Under the agreement, Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was released. He had been imprisoned since March 2023 on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. government deny. His release was celebrated by his family and employer, who expressed deep gratitude and relief.

Also freed were Whelan, who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2018 on similar espionage charges, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist convicted of spreading false information about the Russian military.

Among the dissidents released was Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic serving a lengthy sentence on charges widely viewed as politically motivated. Other freed dissidents included Oleg Orlov, a human rights advocate, and Ilya Yashin, who had been imprisoned for his criticism of the war in Ukraine.

In return, Russia received Vadim Krasikov, convicted in Germany for a 2019 murder, as well as two alleged sleeper agents from Slovenia and three individuals charged by U.S. authorities, including convicted hacker Roman Seleznev. Additionally, Norway and Poland returned individuals suspected of espionage.

The swap involved six countries in total, with Turkey hosting the exchange in Ankara.

Biden emphasized the importance of securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad and noted that the administration has successfully brought home more than 70 Americans in similar negotiations. While these exchanges have been celebrated, they have also faced criticism for potentially encouraging future hostage-taking and giving adversaries leverage over the U.S. and its allies.

The recent deal surpasses a 2010 exchange involving 14 individuals, including Russian spies and Sergei Skripal, who survived a poisoning attempt in Britain.

Gershkovich, arrested in March 2023 while reporting in Russia, and Whelan, detained in December 2018, were both designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. Their release represents a significant diplomatic effort amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia, and Lee from Mongolia. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long contributed to this report.