Russia Frees Evan Gershkovich and Others in Biggest Prisoner Swap Since Cold War

[JosephZ]

The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been freed from Russian custody as part of a major exchange that also involved the freeing of several other foreign citizens held in Russia and numerous Russian political prisoners.

In the exchange, which took place at Ankara airport on Thursday afternoon, eight Russians held in the west returned to Russia. Among them was the Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, who has been held in a German prison since 2019 for the murder of a Chechen exile in Berlin.

Additionally, deep-cover Russian “illegal” spies arrested in Norway and Slovenia were swapped, along with Russians held on criminal charges in US jails. Two minors were also returned to Russia, believed to be the children of the spies jailed in Slovenia.

Among those freed by Russia were Gershkovich, the former US marine Paul Whelan and the Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin, the Turkish presidency said.

The Kremlin, commenting on the prisoner exchange, said it hoped those who had left Russian jails, whom it described as “enemies”, would stay away, the state-run Tass reported.

A possible exchange had been mooted for months, with long discussions behind closed doors involving numerous governments, and few details seeping into the public domain. Until the final moment, the governments involved tried to keep the location and details of Thursday’s exchange under wraps, fearful of last-minute hitches.

Several Russian political prisoners were freed in the swap, including Yashin, one of Russia’s most prominent opposition leaders, who was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in late 2022 for denouncing Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen and longstanding opposition voice, who was sentenced to 25 years for high treason, has also been released.

The Biden administration will be pleased to have finally secured the release of Gershkovich, whose case had threatened to become a political football. In a June presidential debate, Donald Trump claimed he would instantly free the journalist if he won the US election. “I will have him out very quickly, as soon as I take office, before I take office,” Trump said.

Russia frees Evan Gershkovich and others in biggest prisoner swap since cold war

Numerous foreigners and Russian political prisoners released as Germany frees hitman Vadim Krasikov as part of exchange

www.theguardian.com

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Thanks, Biden\Harris!

 

[durangodawood]

Does anyone else have the feeling that we're exchanging criminals for hostages more often than not?

Not saying this exchange is wrong to do. But you have to wonder why Americans aside from diplomats and staff are in Russia at all at this point.

 

[wing2000]

What a joyful day for their families.

 

[wing2000]

Does anyone else have the feeling that we're exchanging criminals for hostages more often than not?

Not saying this exchange is wrong to do. But you have to wonder why Americans aside from diplomats and staff are in Russia at all at this point.

...isn't that always the case when negotiating with regimes that have falsely accused and detained our citizens?

 

[durangodawood]

...isn't that always the case when negotiating with regimes that have falsely accused and detained our citizens?

Yes it is. Im just wondering why Americans are still over there offering them a supply of hostages.

 

[Arcangl86]

And in an impressive display of political chutzpah, Vance is trying to give Trump credit for this. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4806049-vance-trump-prisoner-swap/

 

[Pommer]

And in an impressive display of political chutzpah, Vance is trying to give Trump credit for this. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4806049-vance-trump-prisoner-swap/

Wow, he doesn’t even have to be in OFFICE and TRUMP still “gets things done!”

How is that going to pack-‘em-in at the polls though?
If he can work his magic from anywhere, why’s he want the Office?

 

[FireDragon76]

Does anyone else have the feeling that we're exchanging criminals for hostages more often than not?

Not saying this exchange is wrong to do. But you have to wonder why Americans aside from diplomats and staff are in Russia at all at this point.

The State Eepartment wasn't adequately communicating to US citizens the risks of being in Russia.

 

[wing2000]

The State Eepartment wasn't adequately communicating to US citizens the risks of being in Russia.

That's a rather subjective observation. Each person is going to make their own decision based on a variety of information sources.

 

[FireDragon76]

That's a rather subjective observation. Each person is going to make their own decision based on a variety of information sources.

Moscow has been beating the anti-Western drum for over the past decade, funding cyber-attacks and disiformation campaigns against US and western interests, and even poisoning dissidents in western countries. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that operating in Russia as a foreigner might not be a safe thing to do.

 

[wing2000]

Moscow has been beating the anti-Western drum for over the past decade, funding cyber-attacks and disiformation campaigns against US and western interests, and even poisoning dissidents in western countries. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that operating in Russia as a foreigner might not be a safe thing to do.

Well sure. Like I said, each person, whether it be a WSJ Journal reporter or a citizen attending a friend's wedding, is going to assess the risk and make a decision. And back to your original claim, any person who is planning to travel can review the US Department of State travel advisories anytime. I routinely do that when visiting any foreign country where there are risks to Americans. What else would you have the government do?

 

[JosephZ]

That's a rather subjective observation. Each person is going to make their own decision based on a variety of information sources.

Below is the US travel advisory for Russia at the time Paul Whelan was arrested:

Travel Advisory June 15, 2018

Reconsider travel to Russia due to terrorism and harassment. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory

Do not travel to:

• The north Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to civil unrest and terrorism.
• Crimea due to foreign occupation and abuses by occupying authorities.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Bomb threats against public venues are common.

U.S. citizens are often victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by law-enforcement and other officials. U.S. consular assistance to detained individuals is often unreasonably delayed by Russian officials. Russia also enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals. Due to the Russian government-imposed reduction on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia, the U.S. government has reduced ability to provide services to U.S. citizens.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Avoid demonstrations.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on news information.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Russia.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus)

Civil unrest and terrorist attacks continue throughout the North Caucasus region including in Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local gangs have kidnapped U.S. citizens and other foreigners for ransom. There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of gay men in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

Do not attempt to climb Mount Elbrus, as travelers must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in the North Caucasus region, including Mount Elbrus, as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the region.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Crimea

There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. The Russian Federation is likely to take further military actions in Crimea as part of its occupation of this part of Ukraine. The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly against those who are seen as challenging their authority on the peninsula.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Crimea as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Crimea.

The way this travel advisory was written, someone traveling to a major tourist destination like Moscow in 2018 wouldn't feel that their safety would be at risk.

 

[FireDragon76]

Below is the US travel advisory for Russia at the time Paul Whelan was arrested:

Travel Advisory June 15, 2018

Reconsider travel to Russia due to terrorism and harassment. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory

Do not travel to:

• The north Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to civil unrest and terrorism.
• Crimea due to foreign occupation and abuses by occupying authorities.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Bomb threats against public venues are common.

U.S. citizens are often victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by law-enforcement and other officials. U.S. consular assistance to detained individuals is often unreasonably delayed by Russian officials. Russia also enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals. Due to the Russian government-imposed reduction on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia, the U.S. government has reduced ability to provide services to U.S. citizens.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Avoid demonstrations.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on news information.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Russia.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus)

Civil unrest and terrorist attacks continue throughout the North Caucasus region including in Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local gangs have kidnapped U.S. citizens and other foreigners for ransom. There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of gay men in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

Do not attempt to climb Mount Elbrus, as travelers must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in the North Caucasus region, including Mount Elbrus, as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the region.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Crimea

There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. The Russian Federation is likely to take further military actions in Crimea as part of its occupation of this part of Ukraine. The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly against those who are seen as challenging their authority on the peninsula.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Crimea as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Crimea.

The way this travel advisory was written, someone traveling to a major tourist destination like Moscow in 2018 wouldn't feel that their safety would be at risk.

It does mention the risk of law enforcement potentially engaging in extortion or harassment of American citizens, but it doesn't see the risks in light of the geopolitical context in a holistic fashion. The US and Russia have been in an effective cold war for over a decade.