11:00 The number of Russian contract soldiers may be exaggerated
Using monetary incentives, Russia is attempting to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine. However, the number of new recruits may be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, writes the independent Russian-language online media outlet "Important Stories" based in Riga. According to a joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team", which specializes in open-source information, around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between autumn 2022 and April 2024. This is evident from data on the federal budget. Meanwhile, the ministry has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by the same time.
10:30 Baerbock sees dilemma in exchange of Tiergarten murdererForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. However, in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she acknowledges that the exchange is a "highly sensitive dilemma", as Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as well. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government". Nevertheless, it "rightly also gives rise to much, much discussion", the minister says.
10:04 Jäger: "We're back in a time when Russia holds hostages"In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow releases a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make further arbitrary arrests. The West must accept this, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Deal leaves Röttgen with mixed feelings: Enormous sacrifice for the rule of lawCDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In conclusion, I support the decision." In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Röttgen says: "This is a tremendous sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, is accepting here for a higher good, which is humanity, freedom, health, liberation from torture for 16 people, so it's a give and take." He understands anyone who had great difficulty with this. This refers to the exchange of the Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz assesses prisoner exchange: "Everyone has seen: Germany is blackmailable"ntv's Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a fatal signal for Germans living abroad in the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin. The Kremlin is also increasing pressure on opposition figures at home and abroad.
08:33 Biden praises "remarkable" ScholzThe prisoner exchange was a "tough one" for the US's allies, according to US President Biden. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests", he says. Especially German Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable". An aircraft carrying released US citizens landed in the US overnight (local time). Another 13 people, including several Germans, landed in Cologne. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia accused of espionage. Read more about this here.
08:04 US Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has achieved what he wanted in the prisoner exchange. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin has sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is treating people "like pieces of meat on a scale until they get the kind of deal they want," Nichols believes. The Russia expert also 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 Stationing of Long-Range Missiles Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism from the SPD, among others, has been voiced about the planned relocation of far-reaching US weapons to Germany without a decision by the Bundestag. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment is likely to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," according to a current information note. The legal basis is likely to include the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US government and the German government announced that the US wants to station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 onwards that can reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and in the Bundestag. Union faction vice-president Johann Wadephul also called for a debate on this issue in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden Visibly Moved: "It's a Wonderful Feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia on US soil. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow Americans. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, describes it as "an incredible day" – something that can be seen in the tears of joy from the families of the released prisoners. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary demonstration of the power of diplomacy," she says.
06:00 Harris Praises Courage of Freed AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner exchange. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza have shown "incredible courage" after being wrongfully imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans freed as part of a 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. Read more about this here.
05:50 Three released Americans landed in the USAThree Americans released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly 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 evening (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. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if 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 were no casualties. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Only Partially Functional in RussiaComplaints are increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only partially functional. 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 a detailed conversation 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 to monitor the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that is not seen daily on camera, work that is not read about in newspapers," his spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly devotes time every day of the week to the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is referred to in Kremlin terminology. He also frequently calls front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German Prisoners Arrive in CologneFollowing the 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 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 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 have a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in inhumane arbitrariness." 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 crucial for him. Read more about this here.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians freed from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard stood in formation, as shown in Kremlin-published television footage. Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, were also part of the welcoming committee. "You are home, you are in the motherland," 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's 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 spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish, on X. Harris highlighted the couple's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as "great joy." Each liberation of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "Putin's hostage" and suffer torture and die in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16sThe Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted its first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is believed these were only for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets - a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
Catch up on earlier developments [here].
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia continues its recruitment efforts through monetary incentives, even if the actual number of new recruits may be lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. This is raising concerns among international observers due to the potential impact on the conflict and regional stability.
Given the complex geopolitical landscape and the involvement of military forces, it's essential for all nations to prioritize diplomacy and peace efforts, ensuring that military actions do not escalate further and unwittingly lead to unintended consequences.
