08:33 Biden praises "incredible" Scholz
The historic prisoner exchange was a "hard nut to crack" for the US's allies, according to US President Biden. Especially Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden said. Particularly Chancellor Scholz was "incredible." A plane carrying released US citizens landed in the US overnight on Friday (local time). Another 13 people landed in Cologne overnight, including several Germans. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries let go a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia under suspicion of espionage.
08:04 US Analyst believes Putin got what he wantedLooking at 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 sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next negotiating chip for another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and putting them on a scale like meat pieces until they get the kind of deal they want," believes Russia expert Nichols. He believes Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were caught and that they are valuable to him.
07:26 Stationing of missiles can proceed without Bundestag decisionEspecially from the SPD, there is criticism that the planned deployment of long-range US weapons to 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 should take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," it says in a current brief information. The legal bases should be, among other things, the NATO treaty and the accommodation agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US government and the federal government announced that the US wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026, which reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to an escalation with Russia. However, the former SPD chairman, Norbert Walter-Borjans, said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and also in the Bundestag. Also, the deputy chairman of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul, called for a debate on this in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden visibly moved: "It's a wonderful feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved after the arrival of released prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow countrymen 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 demonstration of how important it is to have a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
06:00 Harris praises courage of released AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises 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 Biden, Harris and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange have been welcomed by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at a U.S. air force base. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former U.S. soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. Read more here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Arrive in the U.S.Three Americans released in a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have arrived in the U.S. The plane suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former U.S. soldier Paul Whelan landed at a U.S. air force base early Friday morning (local time). The aircraft from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the U.S. capital Washington late Thursday evening (local time) after more than nine hours of flight, U.S. media reported.
04:41 U.S. Adviser: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarThe large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine, according to U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. He sees no connection between the negotiations over the detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if the successful negotiations could also promote talks with the Ukrainians about the war situation.
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 casualties. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning Only Partially in RussiaComplaints are increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning partially. Several media outlets reported outages and referred to the service "Sboj.RF," which records reports of disruptions on websites. According to this, complaints have been reported mainly 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: Freed Prisoners Arrived SafelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed a large portion of the German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange 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 Spokesman: Putin Daily Engaged in Ukraine WarKremlin leader Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to monitor the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that is not seen every day on camera, work that is not read about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview, as quoted by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly devotes time every day of the week to monitor the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is referred to in Kremlin terminology. He also frequently telephones front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German Prisoners Arrive in CologneAfter the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes with freed prisoners have landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet with the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had previously interrupted his vacation and also landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Among those released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Justice Minister on Prisoner Deal: "In Doubt, for Freedom"Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann describes 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, explains the FDP politician. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny did: death in arbitrary and inhumane treatment." With this, Buschmann refers to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Justice Minister, the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians freed from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader Putin hugged at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in television images released by the Kremlin. Also present were Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You are home, you are in your homeland," Putin greeted the freed prisoners and announced that they would be proposed 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 WidowAfter 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 spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on X. In their conversation, Harris highlighted Navalnaya's and her late husband's efforts for a "democratic Russia," the spokeswoman explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as "great joy." Each release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "hostage" to Putin and suffer torture and death in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16s
The Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted initial combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is believed that these missions were solely for air defense purposes. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has maintained silence regarding the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, a common practice to avoid aiding the opposing side.
Catch up on all previous developments here.
- The prisoner exchange involving the release of several individuals, including Germans, was seen by some analysts as a successful tactic by Russia in its ongoing cyber war against the West, potentially using these individuals as future bargaining chips.
- In light of the prisoner exchange and the subsequent release of a convicted murderer and spies under suspicion of espionage, there have been increasing concerns about the potential escalation of cyberwar between Russia and its Western allies, as Russia demonstrates its ability to influence and manipulate international relations through unconventional means.
