The 16 people freed from Russian jails on Thursday in the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War received a hero’s welcome from their families, friends, and the politicians that worked for their release upon their arrival in Washington DC and Cologne in the early hours of Friday morning.
US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris were at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington to meet freed journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva and former US Marine Paul Whelan as they stepped off the plane from Ankara, with both politicians embracing each returnee as they stepped back onto US soil.
At Cologne Bonn Airport, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined crowds of supporters and journalists, including allies of the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny, in anticipation of a second plane’s arrival from Ankara carrying the remaining freed prisoners including politician Ilya Yashin, Navalny campaigner Vadim Ostanin and anti-war artist Sasha Skochilenko, among others.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, the red carpet was rolled out and a guard of honour was laid on at Vnukovo Airport as Vladimir Putin personally met the eight Russian citizens returned as part of the unprecedented deal with the West, including a convicted murderer, numerous Russian intelligence agents and various fraudsters.
Novaya Europe has selected some of the most striking images from the past 24 hours.
Rico Krieger (L) and Evan Gershkovich (R) aboard a flight on their way to Ankara, August 1, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / FSB handout
FSB agent and convicted hitman Vadim Krasikov boards the plane to Russia in Ankara, Turkey, 1 August 2024. Photo: FSB Public Relations Centre / RIA Novosti, TASS
Alsu Kurmasheva hugs her husband and daughters following her arrival at Andrews Air Base in Maryland, 1 August 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE/ Ken Cedeno / POOL
Evan Gershkovich hugs his mother, Ella Milman upon arrival at Andrews Air Base, Maryland, 1 August 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / JIM LO SCALZO
Vladimir Putin awaits the arrival of eight Russian citizens released as part of a wide-ranging prisoner swap at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, 1 August 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / GAVRIIL GRIGOROV
Anna Dultseva and her daughter after being presented with flowers by Vladimir Putin at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, 1 August 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / MIKHAIL VOSKRESENSKIY
Vadim Ostanin, Ilya Yashin, Ivan Zhdanov, Maria Pevchikh and Leonid Volkov in Bonn, 2 August 2024. Photo: Ilya Yashin
Maria Pevchikh, head of investigations at Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, with freed artist and activist Sasha Skochilenko. Photo: Maria Pevchikh / Telegram
Andrey Pivovarov (L), Ilya Yashin (C), and Vladimir Kara-Murza (R). Photo: Ilya Yashin / Telegram
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