15:49 Russian Foreign Ministry comments on exchange with tactless humor
The reaction of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West is hard to beat in cynicism and insensitivity. She posted on Telegram a photo showing U.S. President Joe Biden greeting someone. Under the image, it says: "Biden welcomes Alexei Navalny, whom he exchanged for John McCain with the Vietnamese." The Russian government often makes fun of Biden's advanced age and slips of the tongue. Opposition leader Navalny died on February 16 in a penal colony, with his team believing he was killed on the Kremlin's orders. The White House confirmed yesterday that Washington wanted Navalny included in the prisoner exchange. John McCain spent over five years in captivity during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1973. He died in August 2018.
15:13 Hungary loosens visa rules for Russians - EU sees "possible security threat"EU Internal Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson considers Hungary's easing of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians a "possible security threat" to the Union. She has sent a letter with questions to the government in Budapest, Johansson told X. "In light of the potential security threat to the Schengen area from these unilateral measures," Johansson demands that Budapest answer a series of questions by mid-August. "Granting potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy access to the EU would undermine our security," the internal affairs commissioner explained. The simplified visa procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens in Hungary could lead to a "de facto circumvention" of the EU's restrictions, Johansson said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban signed a decree at the beginning of July, expanding the fast-track procedure for issuing visas in Hungary to include Russia, Belarus, and six other countries. Citizens of these countries can now apply for so-called national cards to work in Hungary.**
14:37 Polish government criticized after prisoner exchangeThe Polish government is facing criticism for its involvement in the prisoner exchange with Russia, as a Polish-speaking journalist detained in Belarus was not released. Former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński of the right-wing PiS party accused the cabinet of Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X of having released a Russian-Spanish journalist accused of spying for Russia, but "getting nothing in return." Journalist Andrzej Poczobut, arrested in Belarus in 2021 and sentenced in 2023, was not released. However, Poland released Pawel Rubzow, who had been posing as a Spanish journalist in Europe, from detention. Rubzow had been in a Polish prison since February 2022 on suspicion of spying for Russia.**
13:56 Civilians killed or injured in multiple attacks
There have been multiple reports of deaths and injuries among civilians in several Ukrainian cities due to Russian attacks. A woman was killed and another civilian injured in an attack on the city of Kupyansk, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region. In Derhachi, a bus filled with construction workers was attacked by a drone, leaving seven injured. In Kherson, passersby were attacked by a drone that dropped an explosive device, killing a 54-year-old and injuring a 75-year-old.
13:34 ISW: Russians slowly but steadily advancing in the east
Russian forces appear to be making progress in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. They continue to advance slowly and steadily towards Pokrovsk west of Avdiivka, 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, their progress is likely to slow further.
13:12 Ukraine receives bodies of 250 soldiers from Russia
Ukraine 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 handover was facilitated by international organizations, and 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 victims
CDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt sees the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer in the context of a prisoner exchange as ambiguous. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," saying that the Russian president could now tell any hired killer, "you see, I get you out." Hardt warns that all Germans currently in Russia or Belarus could become victims and that those in Germany must be protected. 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 intelligence agent
The Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany in a prisoner exchange, is a member of the Russian intelligence service FSB. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Krasikov is a member of the FSB." Krasikov, who was sentenced to life in prison in Berlin in 2021 for murder, belonged to an elite unit of the intelligence service.
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinRecently released U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich reportedly requested an interview with Russian President Putin prior to his prisoner exchange, according to a report by the "Wall Street Journal," where Gershkovich works. He was required to fill out an official pardon application to Putin while in detention, which included a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal Russian, which he had acquired during his 16 months in detention." In the final line, he proposed to Putin: "Would you be willing to sit down for an interview upon your release?" No response from the Russian president has been reported. Read more here.
11:00 Number of Russian Contract Soldiers 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, found that approximately 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing a contract between fall 2022 and April 2024, based on federal budget data. Meanwhile, the ministry has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Exchange of Tiergarten MurdererGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those detained in Russia and Belarus but acknowledges that the exchange was a "highly sensitive dilemma" as Germany had to release a "hired killer" from Russia. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government," Baerbock said in Bavarian Radio. It also "rightly leads to much, much discussion."
10:04 Jaeger: "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 released a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West must accept, according to political scientist Thomas Jaeger.
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 said in the Deutschlandfunk. "This is a huge sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, has accepted 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 Vadim Krasikov.
09:00 Munz Assesses Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Blackmailable"NTV Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin as a disastrous signal for Germans living abroad. The Kremlin is also increasing 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 freed 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 suspected of espionage. Read more here.
08:04 Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst 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 another deal. Putin's government treats people like "meat on a scale" until they get the deal they want, Nichols believes. He also thinks 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 in Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary. The Scientific Service of the Bundestag comes to this conclusion. The planned stationing is likely to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," it says in a current briefing. The legal basis would likely be the NATO treaty and the status of forces agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US and German governments announced that the US would again station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed concerns 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 the Bundestag. The deputy chairman of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul, also 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 upon the arrival of freed 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 that we could do this." His deputy, Kamala Harris, explains that "it's an incredible day" - one can see that in the tears of joy from family members. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary example" 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 praises 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 freed 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 USThree Americans freed in 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 on Friday night (local time) after more than nine hours of flight, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarThe large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine, according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. He sees no connection between negotiations over detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia.
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 reported injuries. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning Limitedly in RussiaComplaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning partially. Several media outlets reported outages and cited the service "Sboj.RF," which records reports of website disruptions. Complaints were reportedly coming mainly from 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 majority 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 extensive conversations with the arrivals. "That was very moving," said Scholz. "Many did not expect this to happen now." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes from Ankara landed late in the evening at Cologne-Bonn Airport. On board were said to be about a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin spokesman: 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 is not seen on camera every day, 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 simple soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German prisoners land in CologneAfter the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes with released prisoners landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had also landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Among the 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 context of the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to have a new life in freedom, explained the FDP politician. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny did: death in inhumane arbitrariness." With that, Buschmann referred to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Minister of Justice, the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him. Read more about this here.
22:13 Putin personally receives released RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians released from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader 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, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You're home, you're in the homeland," Putin welcomed the released and announced that they would be nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released. Among those released was also 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 Navalnaya's spokesperson, 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 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 reported to have already conducted initial combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to The Telegraph. However, it's 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 aiding the opposing side.
Catch up on earlier developments here.
In light of the Ukrainian conflict, it's troubling that Hungary has eased visa rules for Russians and Belarusians, potentially creating a "possible security threat" to the EU. (15:13 Hungary loosens visa rules for Russians - EU sees "possible security threat")
The prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, including the release of Russian intelligence agent Vadim Krasikov, raises concerns about the implications for hostages and prisoners of war in the future. (08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" Scholz)
