23:51 UN experts: Up to 1,400 political prisoners still held in Russia
After the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, UN experts have expressed concern about the fate of up to 1400 political prisoners still detained in Russia. They are "deeply concerned" that between 700 and 1372 political prisoners in Russia are still being held "on fabricated or politically motivated charges," according to a joint statement by several independent UN experts. All activists, journalists, and war opponents convicted in sham trials must be "immediately and unconditionally" released.
23:17 Report: Ukraine uses more long-range drones than RussiaAccording to a media report, Ukraine has carried out more long-range drone attacks in a month than Russia for the first time since the start of the war. As Forbes reports, Russia attacked with 426 drones in July, while Kyiv countered with 524 attack drones. The US magazine cites, among others, the X-channel Shahed Tracker, which collects data on Russian drone attacks. According to this, Moscow launched around 380 long-range drone attacks in January and February. In March, the number increased to 601, and in June there were 336 attacks. For Ukrainian attacks, Forbes relies on the figures of the Russian authorities, which reported fewer than 200 attacks in the months of May and June. The figures cannot be independently verified.
22:17 Low double-digit number of Germans in Russian custodyAfter the prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western states, including Germany, a "low double-digit number of persons" with German citizenship remain in Russian prisons, according to the Federal Foreign Office. "The Federal Foreign Office is aware of a low double-digit number of persons who are in detention in Russia and also hold German citizenship," the Tagesspiegel quotes the German Foreign Ministry. There is no contact with the prisoners. "For about two years, the 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 told journalists in Bonn that targeted sanctions against individual members of the power apparatus are most effective. Many of the sanctions imposed during the Russian invasion of 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 infrastructureDue to the increasing destruction of its energy infrastructure as a result of Russian attacks, Ukraine expects a significant increase in emigration of its population. 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: 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 says at the press conference in Bonn. "It's wrong to associate the Russian people with the government's policies," Pivovarov adds. They say it's their mission to make 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"
Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who also participated in the press conference, said he had "flatly refused" to write a pardon request to Putin, just like Yashin. He cited 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 expressed his desire to thank "all the people in Germany who have been fighting for the release of political prisoners and will continue to do so."
19:27 Yashin: I did not 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." That's what the politician said at the press conference in Bonn. "From the first day behind bars, I said 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," 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 Turkey
In Turkey, a second corvette-type warship for Ukraine has been launched. "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," 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 corvette launch event.
18:10 Former BND Chief on Exchange: "We Can Build On This"Gerhard Schindler, the former President of the BND, praises the federal 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 protecting life and limb," Schindler explains in an interview with ntv. "And this deal, this exchange, has precisely considered these goals, and therefore I have no doubts that the federal government has made the right, sovereign, and very smart decision here," the former BND chief emphasizes. "The intelligence services have fulfilled their task. And that's naturally a good step towards the future, because we can say, we can build on this," Schindler explains. Now, new topics could be addressed, such as a larger prisoner exchange, also in connection with Ukraine. "But we can also lay the foundation for talks 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 in the 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 Dmitri Peskow 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, 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 Shows Negotiations with "Russian Aggressor" PossibleSaskia Esken describes the prisoner exchange with Russia as a great success. "It's a great success of diplomacy that it has now been achieved 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 making a deal, that you have to accept painful decisions," Esken explains. But in the end, many people could be brought to freedom and safety. "The deal clearly shows that it's possible to negotiate, to engage in 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, the goal is to achieve peace, "but first, a situation must be created in which the Russian state is even willing to talk to us," says the SPD federal chairwoman in the interview.
16:33 Expert Explains: What F16s in Ukraine Can AchieveThe 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 in the fight against Russian invaders? ntv asks aviation expert Walerij Romanenko.
15:49 Russian Foreign Ministry Comments with Tasteless Joke
The reaction of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West is a display of cynicism and insensitivity. She posted a photo on Telegram showing US President Joe Biden shaking hands with someone. Under the image, it says: "Biden receives Alexei Navalny, whom he exchanged for John McCain with the Vietnamese." The Russian government frequently 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 sought Navalny's release as part of the prisoner exchange. John McCain spent over five years in captivity during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1973 and died in August 2018.
15:13 Hungary Eases 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 sent a letter with questions to the Budapest government, she told X. "Given 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," she said. The simplified visa procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens in Hungary could lead to a "de facto circumvention of the EU's restrictions," the commissioner explained. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban signed a decree at the beginning of July, expanding the fast-track visa process to 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 Exchange
The 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 nationalist 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." Journalist Andrzej Poczobut, arrested in Belarus in 2021 and sentenced in 2023, was not released. However, Poland released Pavel Rubzow, who had been posing as a Spanish journalist in Europe and was imprisoned in Poland since February 2022 on suspicion of spying for Russia.
13:56 Civilians killed or injured in multiple attacksThere 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 Kupiansk, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region. A bus filled with construction workers in Derhachi was also attacked by a drone, with seven injuries reported. In Kherson, a drone attack on pedestrians resulted in one death and one injury.
13:34 ISW: Russians slowly but steadily advancing in the eastRussian forces appear to be making progress in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. They continue to advance slowly and steadily west of Avdiivka 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 Ukraine receives bodies of 250 soldiers from RussiaUkraine 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 are to 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 ambiguous. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," saying that the Russian president could now tell any hired killer, "I'll get you out." Hardt believes that the policy must be clear that "we have come onto a slippery slope," and that all Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should be warned that they could become victims. 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 agentThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, is a member of the Russian intelligence service FSB. "Krasikov is a member of the FSB," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. 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 PutinFreed U.S. journalist Gershkovich reportedly requested an interview with Russian President Putin just before the prisoner exchange, according to the "Wall Street Journal" which Gershkovich works for. He had to fill out an official pardon application in prison, which included a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal Russian, which he had acquired in 16 months of 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 is known. Read more here.
11:00 Number of Russian Contract Soldiers May Be ExaggeratedRussia 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, writes the independent Russian-language online medium "Important Stories" based in Riga. According to a joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing a contract between fall 2022 and April 2024, based on federal budget data. The ministry, however, 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 Bayerischer Rundfunk, she acknowledges that the exchange was a "highly sensitive dilemma," as Germany had to release a "hired killer" from Russia as well. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government." It also "rightly leads to much, much discussion," the minister says.
10:04 Jaeger: "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 frees a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests. The West must accept this, says political scientist Thomas Jaeger.
09:36 Deal Leaves Roettgen with Mixed Feelings: Enormous Sacrifice for Rule of LawCDU foreign policy expert Norbert Roettgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In the end, I support the decision." In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Roettgen says, "This is already an enormous sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, accepts here for a higher good, which is humanity, freedom, health, liberation from torture for 16 people, so it's a give and take." He understands anyone who found it very difficult to accept this. He is referring to the exchange of the Tiergarten murderer Vadim Krasikov.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner swap was a "hard nut to crack" for the US's allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden said. He praised German Chancellor Scholz as "remarkable." An aircraft 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 accused 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 from the prisoner swap. The US political scientist told CNN that the Kremlin sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next negotiating tool for a different deal. Putin's government treats people like "meat on a scale" until they get the kind of deal they want, Nichols believes. He 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 service says in a recent information note. The legal basis would likely include the NATO treaty and the 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 deep into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could escalate tensions with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and Union parliamentary vice-president Johann Wadephul called for a debate on this decision 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 deputy, Kamala Harris, says, "It's an incredible day" - you can see it in the joyful tears of the families. The prisoner swap 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 US 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 Americans Three Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner swap were welcomed 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 US Three Americans released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have 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 in the early hours of Friday (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the US capital Washington late on Thursday (local time) after more than nine hours in the air, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine War US 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 country attacked by Russia. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," he 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 Crimea Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, said 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 injuries. "The downed targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," he said.
01:45 YouTube Only Partially Working in Russia Complaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only partially working. Several media outlets reported outages and cited the service "Sboj.RF," which tracks 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 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 those who arrived. "It 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 coming from Ankara landed late in the evening in Cologne-Bonn. On board were approximately a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin spokesman: Putin daily involved in war in UkraineKremlin chief Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to monitor 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 Dmitri 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 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 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 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 have a new life in freedom, explained the FDP politician. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny did: death in cruel arbitrariness." Buschmann referred to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As justice minister, 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 chief Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing, as shown by Kremlin-published television images. 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 nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released prisoners. Also 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. Harris praised Navalnaya and her husband, who died in a Russian penal colony in February, for their efforts towards 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 "hostage" to Putin 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. 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 earlier developments here.
The European Union expresses concern about the continued detention of political prisoners in Russia, with UN experts estimating up to 1400 individuals still being held on fabricated or politically motivated charges. Germany has a "low double-digit number" of citizens remaining in Russian prisons following a prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western states.
