21:28 Ukraine expects more emigration in 2024 and 2025
20:51 Opposition Figures: Don't Confuse Russian People with Putin's Regime
Kara-Mursa and Russian opposition figure Andrei Pivovarov, also released on Thursday, urge the world to distinguish between the Russian people and their president. "There are many people in Russia who are against the war and do not believe Kremlin propaganda," Kara-Mursa said at a press conference in Bonn. "It's wrong to associate the Russian people with the government's policies," Pivovarov added. They stressed their commitment to making Russia "free and democratic" and thanked all those who contributed to their release and that of 14 other political prisoners from Russian prisons.
20:23 Kara-Mursa: "No One Asked for Our Consent"
Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who also attended the press conference, said he had "flatly refused" to write a pardon request to Putin, like Yashin. He cited the Russian constitution, which prohibits the expulsion of Russian citizens without their consent. "No one asked for our consent," Kara-Mursa said. The politician thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Germans. "It was not an easy decision for Chancellor Scholz," he said. "Yesterday, 16 lives were saved," Kara-Mursa emphasized. "I don't think there's anything more important in the world." The 42-year-old also expressed his gratitude to all the people in Germany who have been working for the release of political prisoners and continue to do so.
19:27 Yashin: I Didn't Want to Be Exchanged
Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin considers his release not as a prisoner exchange, but as an "illegal expulsion against my will." This is what the politician said at the press conference in Bonn. "From the first day in jail, I said I'm not ready for an exchange. I publicly asked not to be included in the exchange lists," the 41-year-old said. "This was my conscious position." Before his imprisonment, despite the threat of arrest, he refused to leave Russia, "because I consider myself a Russian politician and patriot," Yashin said. "I understood my imprisonment not only as a fight against the war, but also as a fight for my right to live in my country and engage in independent politics there." It was illegal to expel him from Russia against his will. His first thought upon arrival in Germany was to buy a ticket and fly back to Russia. However, he decided against it because such a step would reduce the chances of further extraditions of political prisoners from Russia.
18:47 Ukrainian Warship Launched in TurkeyIn Turkey, a second corvette-type warship for Ukraine has been launched into the water. "We know better than anyone how important security is, and this corvette will be a symbol of security for our entire shared region," says Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at the ceremony in Istanbul, according to a statement. The ship, named "Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky" in March, follows the corvette named "Hetman Ivan Mazepa" which was launched in October 2022. Currently, Ukraine is conducting test drives with the ship. Both corvettes were ordered in 2020 before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Also attending the launch ceremony are Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov and Fleet Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa.
18:10 Former BND Chief on Exchange: "We Can Build On That"Gerhard Schindler, the former president of the BND, praises the German government's actions in the prisoner exchange. "In politics, it's about working for the benefit of the population, for the benefit of people. And what does that mean? It's about freedom and protecting life and limb," Schindler explains in an interview with ntv. "And this deal, this exchange, has exactly considered these goals, and therefore I have no doubt that the German government has acted correctly, sovereignly, and very wisely here," the former BND chief emphasizes. "The intelligence services have fulfilled their task. And that's naturally a good step forward because we can say, we can build on that," Schindler explains. Now, new topics could be addressed, such as a larger prisoner exchange, also in connection with Ukraine. "We can also lay the foundation for talks moving towards a ceasefire," Schindler tells ntv.
17:39 Kremlin: Spy Kids Didn't Know of Russian HeritageThe two children of two spies who returned to Russia through a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Western states did not know about their Russian roots, according to Kremlin statements. "The children of the secret agents who arrived yesterday knew they were Russians only when their plane took off from Ankara," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. The children reportedly do not speak Russian. President Putin greeted the two children in Spanish with "Buenas Noches," as heard in a video on the Russian president's website. After the arrest of the spy couple in Slovenia in December 2022, reports also emerged about the children. At that time, it was reported that a child protection service had taken over the children after the arrest of their parents. It was also reported that the mother was Argentine.
17:06 Esken: Exchange demonstrates that negotiations with "Russian aggressor" are possibleSaskia Esken describes the prisoner exchange with Russia as a major diplomatic success. "It's a major diplomatic success that we've now managed to free many German and other Western European and Western citizens from prisons in Russia," the SPD federal chairwoman told ntv. Exchanging the Tiergarten murderer was a difficult decision. "This exchange also has painful aspects. That's often the case in diplomacy when you make a deal, you have to accept painful decisions," explains Esken. However, the result is that many people have been brought to freedom and safety. "The deal shows that it's possible to negotiate, to engage in talks, even with the Russian state, even with the Russian aggressor, on topics where they have their own interests," says Esken. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve peace, "but first, we need to create a situation where the Russian state is willing to talk to us," says the SPD federal chairwoman in the interview.
16:33 Expert explains: What F16s can do in UkraineThe training of pilots has been ongoing for months, and the first F16 fighter jets from the West have now arrived in Ukraine. What can these machines do in the fight against Russian invaders? ntv asks aviation expert Walerij Romanenko.
15:49 Russian Foreign Ministry comments on exchange with tasteless jokeThe reaction of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West is hard to beat in terms of cynicism and tastelessness. She posted a photo on Telegram showing US President Joe Biden shaking hands with someone. The caption reads: "Biden welcomes Alexei Navalny, whom he exchanged for Senator (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 had also sought Navalny's release as part of the prisoner exchange. John McCain spent more than five years in captivity during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1973. He died in August 2018.
15:13 Hungary Eases Visa Rules for Russians - EU Sees Possible Security Threat
The easing of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians in Hungary is seen as a "possible security threat" to the EU by EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. She has sent a letter with questions to the government in Budapest, Johansson told X. "In light of the possible security threat to the Schengen area from these unilateral measures," Johansson has asked Budapest to answer a series of questions by mid-August. "Granting potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy access to the EU would undermine the security of us all," the home affairs commissioner explained. The simplified visa procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens in Hungary could lead to a "de facto circumvention of the restrictions imposed by the EU," Johansson said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had signed a decree at the beginning of July, expanding the fast-track procedure for issuing visas in Hungary to Russia and Belarus, as well as 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 Exchange with Russia
The Polish government is facing criticism for its involvement in a prisoner exchange with Russia, as a Polish-speaking journalist detained in Belarus was not released. Former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński of the Law and Justice (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." Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist arrested in Belarus in 2021 and sentenced in 2023, was not released. However, Poland had released Pablo González, who had been posing as a Spanish journalist in Europe and was being held in a Polish prison since February 2022 on suspicion of spying for Russia, as part of the exchange.
13:56 Civilians Killed or Injured in Multiple Attacks
Several Ukrainian cities have reported deaths and injuries from Russian attacks, according to authorities. A woman died and another civilian was injured in an attack on the city of Kupiansk, the governor of the Kharkiv region reported. In Derhachi, a bus filled with construction workers was attacked by a drone, with seven injuries reported. In Kherson, pedestrians were attacked by a drone that dropped an explosive device, killing a 54-year-old and injuring a 75-year-old, authorities said.
13:34 ISW: Russians Advancing Slowly but Steadily in the East
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 an area with larger settlements, the advances are likely to slow down further.
13:12 Russia Hands Over 250 Ukrainian Soldier RemainsUkraine has received the remains of 250 of its soldiers from Russia. Among them are remains of fallen soldiers from the Donetsk region in Bachmut, Marjinka, and Avdiivka, as well as from the port city of Mariupol, the Coordination Staff for Prisoner of War Affairs reported via 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 the prisoner exchange as ambiguous. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," Hardt said in the ARD "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 Was Russian SpyThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, was an agent of the Russian FSB. "Krasikov is a member of the FSB," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Krasikov, who was convicted of murder in Berlin in 2021 and sentenced to life imprisonment, had belonged to an elite unit of the secret service.
11:55 Security Expert Umbach: Exchange Strengthens Putin's Image of Weak WestThe prisoner exchange strengthens Putin's course towards the West, security expert Frank Umbach said. Russia had the upper hand in the deal and made the West look weak. For Russia's president, this is a win on multiple fronts, the expert explained.
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" reported. The form also had a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it in with "formal high Russian" he had learned 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? No response from the Russian president is known. Read more here.
11:00 Russian Contract Soldier Numbers May Be ExaggeratedRussia is trying 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, she told Bavarian Radio that the exchange was a "highly sensitive dilemma," as Germany also had to release a "hitman" from Russia. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government." It also "rightly leads to a lot of discussion," the minister said.
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 is releasing a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West will have to accept, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Röttgen Has Mixed Feelings About Deal: Massive Concession 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 on Deutschlandfunk. "This is a massive concession 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 found it very difficult to accept this. He was referring to the exchange of the Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz Evaluates 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 dissidents at home and abroad, he says.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "hard nut to crack" for the US allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden said. Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable" in this regard. 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 accused of espionage from Russia. Read more about this here.
08:04 US Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has obtained what he wanted regarding 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 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 Missile Systems Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionThere is criticism, especially from the SPD, that the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in 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 is likely to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," it says in a current information sheet. 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 from 2026 onwards that can reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears 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 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 upon the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow Americans on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that 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 testament to the power of diplomacy" having a president who understands it.
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 imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans released 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 Land in the USAThree Americans released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have 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 on Friday morning (local time) after more than nine hours of flight. The aircraft from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the US capital Washington on Thursday evening (local time), 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 are no casualties. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning in Russia Only in Limited CapacityComplaints are increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning in a limited capacity. 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 number of 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 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 Involved in Ukraine WarRussian President Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to discuss 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," his spokesman Dmitry 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 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 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 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." As justice minister, Buschmann said the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial for him. Read more 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'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 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. Harris highlighted the couple's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures 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 the 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 all previous developments here.
The Commission has been closely involved in the negotiations leading up to the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West.
Following the release of Russian political prisoners, The Commission is now focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of all German and Western citizens currently residing in Russia and Belarus.
