11:22 Gershkovich suggests an interview with Putin
Freed US Journalist Gershkovich Requested Interview with Putin Before Prisoner Exchange
According to a report, freed US journalist Gershkovich had requested an interview with Russian President Putin just before the prisoner exchange. He was required to fill out an official pardon form in prison, which included a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal High Russian, which he had learned during his 16 months in detention." In the last line, he proposed to Putin: "Would you be willing to sit down for an interview upon your release?" No response from Putin is known.
11:00: Reported Number of Russian Contract Soldiers May Be Exaggerated
Russia is trying to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine with cash bonuses. However, the number of new recruits may be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to the independent Russian-language online media outlet "Important Stories" based in Riga. A joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, found that around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between fall 2022 and April 2024, based on budget data. Meanwhile, the ministry had spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by that time.
10:30: Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Release of Tiergarten Murderer
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus but acknowledges that the exchange was a "highly sensitive dilemma," as Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as well. She says the decision was not easy for the federal government and has sparked much debate. In an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she states that the exchange "rightly also leads to much discussion."
10:04: Jäger: "We're Back in a Time When Russia Takes Hostages"
In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow has freed a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West must accept, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36: Röttgen Has Mixed Feelings About Deal: Huge Concession for Rule of Law
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In the end, I support the decision," he says in an interview with Deutschlandfunk. "It's a huge concession that the German state, the rule of law, has accepted here for a higher good, which is humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people." He understands those who struggled with this decision, referring to the release of Tiergarten murderer Vadim Krasikov.
09:00: Munz Evaluates Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Vulnerable"
ntv's Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin as a dangerous sign for Germans living abroad. He believes it increases pressure on opposition figures both at home and abroad.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough nut to crack" for the US's allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden said. Especially Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable." A plane 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 under suspicion of espionage. For more on this, click here.
08:04 Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedUS analyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted in the prisoner exchange. 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 bargaining chip in a deal. Putin's government treats people like "meat on a scale" until they get the kind of deal they want, Nichols believes. The Russian 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 DecisionCritics, especially from the SPD, argue that the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag's approval. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned stationing is likely to take place "within the NATO alliance framework," the current information states. The legal basis would likely be the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement regulating the legal status of foreign military forces in Germany. In July, the US and German governments announced that the US would station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 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 the Bundestag. Union faction vice-chairman Johann Wadephul also called for a debate in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden Visibly Moved: "It's a Wonderful Feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of released prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow citizens on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, explains, "It's an incredible day" – one 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 Freed American DetaineesUS Vice President Kamala Harris praised the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner swap. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza had shown "incredible bravery" after being unlawfully imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner swap were greeted by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at a US Air Force base. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. [Read more here.]
05:50 Three Freed Americans Arrive in the USThree Americans released from detention as part of a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly arrived in the US. 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 Washington, DC, 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 said 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 detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Russia-attacked country. "In our view, 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, reported 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 wrote 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 Functioning Limitedly in RussiaComplaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning limitedly. Several media outlets reported outages and cited the service "Sboj.RF," which tracks disruptions on websites. According to the service, 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 accessed via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged prisoners have arrived safelyChancellor Olaf Scholz 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," said the SPD politician shortly after midnight at the airport. He had held extensive conversations with the arrivals. "It was very moving," said Scholz. "Many did not expect this to happen." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes from Ankara landed late in the evening at Cologne-Bonn Airport, carrying approximately a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin spokesman: Putin daily involved in Ukraine warKremlin chief Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military on 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," said his spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin deals with the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is called in Kremlin terminology, every day of the week. He also frequently telephones front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Released German prisoners land in CologneFollowing the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes carrying released 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 also landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Among those released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Minister of Justice on prisoner deal: "In doubt, for freedom"Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann described the release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov from German custody as a bitter concession in the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom, explained the FDP politician. "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 February. As Minister of Justice, the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him. For more on this, please read here.
22:13 Putin personally receives released RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians released from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin chief Putin embraced 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 welcomed the released prisoners and announced that they would be proposed for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released 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 Alexey Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalnaya's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish, on X. Harris highlighted Navalnaya's and her late husband's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as a "great joy." Each 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 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 assumed that these were only used for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has so far maintained silence about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets - a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developmentshere.
Following the prisoner exchange, some may question whether Putin will use this as an opportunity to make more arbitrary arrests, considering the released Russian convicted murderer as a possible bargaining chip in the future. (Thomas Jäger)
Among those freed in the prisoner exchange was Evan Gershkovich, the US journalist who had requested an interview with Putin before his imprisonment. (Freed US Journalist Gershkovich Requested Interview with Putin Before Prisoner Exchange)
