08:04 US analyst believes Putin got what he wanted
Regarding the prisoner exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted, believes analyst Tom Nichols. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin had sent a clear warning to people in the West that anyone who sets foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in a different deal. Putin's government is treating people like "meat on a scale" until they get the kind of deal they want, Nichols believes. He thinks Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were captured and that they are valuable to him.
07:26 AM Stationing of missiles can proceed without Bundestag decisionCriticism, especially from the SPD, has been voiced that the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not required. This is the conclusion of the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned stationing is likely to take place "within the NATO alliance framework," it says in a current brief information. The legal basis would likely be the NATO treaty and the Agreement on the Legal Status of Forces, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US government and the federal government announced that the USA wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, the former SPD chairman, Norbert Walter-Borjans, said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and in the Bundestag. Also, the deputy chairman of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul, called for a debate on this in the Bundestag.**
06:36 AM Biden visibly moved: "It's a wonderful feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow Americans on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, explains, "It's an incredible day" – you can see that in the tears of joy from the families. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy."**
06:00 AM Harris praises courage of freed AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praised the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of the prisoner exchange. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza had shown "incredible courage" after being unlawfully detained in Russia.**
05:55 AM Biden, Harris, and families welcome freed AmericansThree Americans released as part of the prisoner exchange were welcomed by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at an air force base in the US. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. For more on this, read here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Land in the USAThree Americans released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have arrived in the USA. The plane, suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan, landed at a US Air Force base early Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the US capital Washington late Thursday night (local time) after more than nine hours in the air, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarUS National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between negotiations over the detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia. "In our view, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if successful negotiations could also promote talks about the war situation with the Ukrainians.
03:05 Russian-Appointed Governor: Drone Fragments Hit CrimeaThe Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reports that fragments of at least four drones hit areas of the port of Sevastopol early Friday morning. The drones were previously shot down by Russian air defense. Razvozhayev writes on the Telegram platform that there are no injuries. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Only Partially Working in RussiaComplaints are increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only partially working. Several media outlets reported outages and referred to the service "Sboj.RF," which records reports of disruptions on websites. According to this, complaints were mainly reported in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also from other parts of the country. Russia had already blocked large social networks like X and Facebook, which can only be used via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged Prisoners Arrived SafelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a large portion of the German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner swap between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," the SPD politician said shortly after midnight at the airport. He had extensive conversations with the arrivals. "That was very moving," Scholz said. "Many did not expect this to happen now." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes from Ankara landed in Cologne-Bonn late in the evening, carrying about a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin Spokesperson: Putin Daily Involved in Ukraine WarKremlin leader Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military on the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that isn't seen on camera every day, work that isn't written about in newspapers," said his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly deals with the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is referred to in Kremlin parlance, every day of the week. He also frequently telephones front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German Captives Land in CologneFollowing a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes carrying freed prisoners have landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet with the former captives later in the evening. The SPD politician had also arrived at Cologne/Bonn Airport after interrupting his vacation. Among those released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Justice Minister: "In Doubt, for Freedom"Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann described the release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov from German custody as a bitter concession in the context of the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in cruel and arbitrary treatment." Buschmann was referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As justice minister, he said the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians freed by the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in TV footage released by the Kremlin. Also present were Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You're home, you're in your homeland," Putin greeted the freed prisoners, and announced that they would be nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the freed prisoners. Among those released was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Nawalny WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh on X. Harris highlighted Navalnaya's and her husband's, who died in a Russian labor camp in February, efforts for a "democratic Russia," the spokesperson explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as "great joy." Every release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "a hostage" of Putin and suffer torture and die in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16s
The Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted initial combat operations with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it's believed these were used solely for air defense. A spokesperson for the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent on the arrival of F-16s, a common practice to avoid aiding the enemy.
Catch up on all previous developments here.
Despite the ongoing deployment of US weapons in Germany, the Russian President Vladimir Putin's government seems to view individuals as bargaining chips in military operations, according to analyst Tom Nichols. This indicates that any foreigner could potentially become involved in such operations.
The prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, hailed as a "wonderful feeling" by US President Biden, could potentially influence future strategic negotiations, serving as an example of diplomacy's power in resolving international disputes.
