13:34 ISW: Russians moving east slowly but steadily
In the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, Russian forces appear to be making progress. West of Avdiivka, they continue to advance slowly and steadily towards Pokrovsk, according to an analysis by the US think tank "Institute for the Study of War". This is likely due to personnel shortages in the Ukrainian army and the terrain. If Russian forces advance into areas with larger settlements, the advances are likely to slow down further.
13:12 Russia Hands Over 250 Soldier Bodies to UkraineUkraine has received the bodies of 250 of its soldiers from Russia. Among them are remains of fallen soldiers from the Donetsk region in Bachmut, Marinka, and Avdiivka, as well as from the port city of Mariupol, the Coordination Staff for War Prisoners' Affairs announced on Telegram. The handover was facilitated by international organizations. Images show staff from the International Red Cross. The bodies will be identified and handed over to their families for burial.**
12:48 CDU Foreign Policy Expert Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus Could Become VictimsCDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt sees the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer as part of a prisoner exchange as ambivalent. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," Hardt told ARD's "Morning Magazine." The Russian president could now tell any hired killer: "You see, I get you out." Politics must be clear that "we have come onto a slippery slope with this," Hardt said. All Germans currently in Russia or Belarus must be warned that they could become victims, and "we must protect those who are with us." At the same time, he welcomes the release of the 16 people imprisoned in Russia and Belarus.**
12:13 Kremlin Confirms Tiergarten Murderer is Russian Secret AgentThe man released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, Vadim Krasikov, is a member of the Russian secret service FSB, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Krasikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, belonged to an elite unit of the secret service.**
11:55 Security Expert Umbach: Exchange Strengthens Putin's Image of a Weak WestThe prisoner exchange strengthens Putin in his course against the West, says security expert Frank Umbach. Russia has the upper hand in the deal and makes the West look weak. For Russia's president, this is a win in multiple ways, as the expert explains.**
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinThe released US journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview shortly before the prisoner exchange. He had to fill out an official pardon application to Putin while in prison, the "Wall Street Journal" reports, for which Gershkovich works. The form also had a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in the formal Russian he had acquired in 16 months of detention. In the last line, he proposed to Putin: Would he be ready to sit down for an interview after his release? There is no known response from the Russian president. Read more about this here.
11:00 Russian Contract Soldier Numbers May Be ExaggeratedRussia is attempting to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine with financial incentives. 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, estimates that around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between fall 2022 and April 2024. This is based on data from the federal budget. Meanwhile, the ministry has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by the same time.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Tiergarten Murderer ExchangeForeign 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 an easy one for anyone in the federal government," Baerbock says, adding that it "rightly also gives rise to much, 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 releases 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 Sacrifice for Rule of LawCDU 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. "This is a huge sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, is accepting 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 exchange of Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz Assesses Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Blackmailable"ntv 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, he says.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough one" for the US allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions "against their immediate interests," Biden says. He praises German Chancellor Scholz as "remarkable." An airplane with 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 accused of espionage from Russia. For more on this, read here.
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 bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and treating them like pieces of meat on a scale 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 captured 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 relocation of long-range US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary. 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 information. The legal basis would likely be the NATO treaty and the status of forces agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign military 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, which 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. 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 Joe 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 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 freed 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 have shown "incredible courage" after being unlawfully detained in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and families 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 Freed Americans Arrive 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 Adviser: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarUS National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between the negotiations over the detainees and potential diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Russia-attacked country. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington, responding to a journalist's question about whether 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 Limitedly in RussiaComplaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning in a limited capacity. Several media outlets reported outages and cited 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: Exchanged Prisoners Arrive 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 didn't 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 Involved in Ukraine WarRussian President Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to monitor the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that you don't see every day on camera, work that you don't read about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitri Peskov said in a radio interview cited 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 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had also interrupted his vacation and 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 start a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in Russian custody in February in a manner that was cruel and inhumane." As justice minister, Buschmann said the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial. Read more here.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians freed from Western captivity at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in Kremlin-published television footage. Also present were Russian security chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as 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's WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris has called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei 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 the couple's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures as "great joy." Every release 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 death 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 purposes. 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.
You can read all previous developments here.
The Coordination Staff for War Prisoners' Affairs announced that the received bodies of Ukrainian soldiers include remains from the presidential region of Donetsk, specifically Bachmut, Marinka, and Avdiivka.
Given the political climate in Donetsk and the presence of Russian forces, one could speculate whether The President of the Council in Donetsk or someone representing Russian interests in the area played a role in the soldiers' capture or their subsequent release as part of the prisoner exchange.
