22:17 Low double-digit number of Germans in Russian custody
After the prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries like Germany, the Federal Foreign Office continues to report that a "low double-digit number of persons" with German citizenship are still in Russian prisons. "The Federal Foreign Office is aware of a low double-digit number of persons who are imprisoned in Russia and also possess German citizenship," the "Tagesspiegel" quotes the German Foreign Ministry. There is no contact with the prisoners. "For about two years, Russian authorities have refused direct consular access in the form of prison visits to German-Russian dual nationals," the Foreign Office told the report. "They treat persons with Russian and another citizenship exclusively as Russian citizens." The Foreign Office does not share this view and is "actively" seeking consular access.
21:48 Kara-Mursa: Sanctions against ordinary Russians are "not fair"The opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, released from Russian captivity, wants to continue fighting for sanctions against the "murderous regime of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin" as before his imprisonment. He says that targeted sanctions against individual members of the power apparatus are the most effective. Many of the sanctions imposed in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine also affect ordinary people today. "That's not fair."
21:28 Ukraine expects increased emigration in 2024 and 2025 due to destruction of energy infrastructureThe Ukraine expects increased emigration of its population due to the destruction of its energy infrastructure as a result of increasing Russian attacks. According to a report by the Ukrainian Central Bank, around 400,000 Ukrainians are expected to leave the country this year, and another 300,000 next year. This development will be exacerbated by the almost complete destruction of the Ukrainian energy system, which "is associated with longer power outages and increases the risks for the heating season," the Central Bank explains.
20:51 Opposition figures: Don't confuse Russian people with Putin's regimeKara-Mursa and the Russian opposition figure Andrei Pivovarov, who was 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 the Kremlin propaganda," Kara-Mursa said at the press conference in Bonn. "It's wrong to associate the Russian people with the government's policy," Pivovarov added. They said it was their task to work towards making Russia "free and democratic." They thanked everyone who contributed to their release and that of 14 other political prisoners from Russian prisons.
20:23 Kara-Mursa: "No one asked us for our consent"The Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who also participated in the press conference, said he had categorically refused, like Yashin, to write a pardon request to Putin. He referred to the Russian Constitution, which prohibits the expulsion of Russian citizens without their consent. "No one asked us 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 thanked "all the people in Germany who have been and continue to be committed to the release of political prisoners."
19:27 Jachin: I did not want to be exchangedRussian opposition politician Ilya Yashin views his release not as a prisoner exchange, but as an "illegal expulsion against my will". This is what the politician said at a press conference in Bonn. "From the first day behind bars, I said that I was not ready for an exchange. I publicly asked not to be included in the exchange lists," said the 41-year-old. "This was my conscious stance." Before his imprisonment, despite the threat of arrest, he refused to leave Russia, "because I consider myself a Russian politician and patriot." He understood his imprisonment not only as a fight against the war but also as a fight for his right to live in his country and pursue 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. "We know like no one else how important security is, and this corvette will be a symbol of security for our entire shared region," said Ukrainian President's wife 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. Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov and Fleet Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa also attend the event to launch the corvette.
18:10 Former BND chief on exchange: "We can build on this"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, working for the benefit of people? It's about freedom and it's about protecting life and limb," explains Schindler in an interview with ntv. "And this deal, this exchange has exactly considered these goals, and therefore I have no doubts that the German government has acted correctly, sovereignly, and very wisely here," emphasizes the former BND chief. "The intelligence services have thus fulfilled their task. And that's naturally a good step into the future because you can say, we can build on this," explains Schindler. 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 towards a ceasefire," Schindler told ntv.
17:39 Kremlin: Spy Kids Unaware of Russian HeritageThe two children of two spies who returned to Russia through a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Western states were unaware of their Russian roots, according to the Kremlin. "The children of the secret agents who arrived yesterday knew they were Russians only when their plane took off in Ankara," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the Russian news agency Interfax. The children 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, there were also reports about the children. At that time, it was reported that a child welfare 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 Shows Negotiations with "Russian Aggressor" PossibleSaskia Esken described the prisoner exchange with Russia as a great success. "It is a great success of diplomacy that it has now been possible to free many German and other Western European and Western citizens from Russian prisons," the SPD federal chairwoman told ntv. That the Tiergarten murderer was exchanged was a difficult decision. "This exchange also has painful parts. That's often the case in diplomacy when you make a deal, you have to accept painful decisions," explains Esken. But in the end, many people could be brought to freedom and security this way. "The deal shows that it is possible to negotiate, to enter into negotiations, even with the Russian state, even with the Russian aggressor, on topics where they also have their own interests," says Esken. In the end, one wants to achieve peace, "but first, a situation must be created in which the Russian state is ready 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 combat jets from the West have now arrived in Ukraine. What can these machines do 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. Under the picture, it says: "Biden receives Alexei Navalny, whom he exchanged for Senator (John) McCain with the Vietnamese." The Russian government often makes fun of Biden's advanced age and slip-ups. Opposition leader Navalny died on February 16 in a labor camp, 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 EU's 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. "Given the potential 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 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 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 include 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 right-wing nationalist 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 had released Pablo González, who had been posing as a Spanish journalist in Europe, from prison as part of the exchange. González had been in a Polish prison since February 2022, accused of suspected espionage for Russia.
13:56 Civilians Killed or Injured in Multiple Attacks
According to government reports, there are dead and injured civilians in several Ukrainian cities following Russian attacks. A woman was killed and another civilian injured in a strike on the city of Kupjansk, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region. In Derhachi, a bus carrying construction workers was attacked by a drone, with seven injuries reported. In Kherson, passersby were attacked by a drone that dropped an explosive device, killing a 54-year-old and injuring a 75-year-old, authorities reported.
13:34 ISW: Russians Slowly but Steadily Advancing 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 but 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 further.
13:12 Russia Hands Over 250 Ukrainian Soldiers' BodiesUkraine has received the bodies 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, according to the Coordination Staff for War Prisoners' Issues on Telegram. The handover was facilitated by international organizations. Images show employees of 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 murderer practically: "You see, I get you out." The policy must be "clear that we have come onto a slippery slope with this," Hardt said. All Germans who are now 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 a member of the Russian FSB intelligence service. "Krasikov is a member of the FSB," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Krasikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, belonged to an elite unit of the intelligence service.
11:55 Security Expert Umbach: Exchange Strengthens Putin's Image of 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, the matter is a win in several ways, as the expert explains.
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinThe released US journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview just before the prisoner exchange. He had to fill out an official pardon application to Putin while in prison, the "Wall Street Journal" reports, which Gershkovich works for. The form also had an empty 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 could 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. An analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, suggests 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 Exchange of Tiergarten MurdererForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. However, in an interview with the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation, 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," Baerbock says, but it "rightly also 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 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 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 says in the Deutschlandfunk. "This is a huge sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, is accepting here 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.
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 dissenters at home and abroad, he says.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzThe prisoner exchange was a "tough nut" for the U.S. allies, according to U.S. President Biden. Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," he says. He praises German Chancellor Scholz as "remarkable." A plane with released U.S. citizens landed in the U.S. 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 U.S., and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners suspected of spying 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 negotiating chip in another deal. Putin's government is treating people like "meat on a scale until they get the kind of deal they want," Nichols believes. The Russia expert also thinks that 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 Deployment of Missile Systems Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism, particularly from the SPD, has been voiced over the planned relocation of long-range US weapons to Germany without the Bundestag's decision or announcement. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment is likely to take place "within the NATO alliance framework," the service's latest information states. The legal basis for this would be the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement, which governs 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 could reach deep into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed concerns 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 parliamentary 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 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 that we could do this." Vice President Kamala Harris explains, "It's an incredible day" – one can see that in the joyful tears of the families. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary testament to the power of diplomacy" under a president who understands its importance.
06:00 Harris Praises Courage of Freed AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises the courage of the Americans released from Russian prisons 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 unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris 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 arrived 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 over 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 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 the negotiations over the detainees and any 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 the 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 injuries. "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 increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning limitedly. 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 spoken at length 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 Engaged in Ukraine WarKremlin leader Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military over 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 deals with the progress of the special operation, as the invasion of Ukraine is called in Kremlin terminology, every day of the week. He also frequently calls front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German Prisoners Land in CologneFollowing a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes with freed prisoners have 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 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 decisive 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 was standing, 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 your homeland," Putin greeted the freed prisoners and announced that they would be proposed 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, U.S. 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 the efforts of Navalnaya and her husband, who died in a Russian penal colony in February, for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as a "great joy." Each liberation of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "hostage" to Putin and suffer and die from torture 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 that these were only used 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.
You can read all previous developmentshere.
The Ukrainian conflict continues to affect citizens with dual nationalities, with the German Foreign Office reporting a low double-digit number of German citizens still imprisoned in Russia.
The release of Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who was previously imprisoned, has sparked conversations about the distinction between ordinary Russians and the Russian government's policies.
