I didn't want to be replaced.
Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin sees 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 in prison, 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," said Yashin. "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. "We know like no one else how important security is, and this corvette will be a guarantee of security for our entire shared region," said 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 of the corvette 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, praised the federal government's actions in the prisoner exchange. "It's about working in the interest of the population, in the interest of the people. And what does that mean? It's about freedom and the protection of life and limb," explained Schindler in an interview with ntv. "And this deal, this exchange has exactly considered these goals, and therefore I have no doubt that the federal government has acted correctly, sovereignly, and very wisely here," emphasized the former BND chief. "The intelligence services have thus fulfilled their task. And that's naturally a good step towards the future, because you can say, 'We can build on that'," explained 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 moving towards a ceasefire," said Schindler to 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 Kremlin reports. "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 "Good evening," 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 surfaced about the children. At the time, it was reported that a childcare 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" PossibleSPD federal chairwoman Saskia Esken described the prisoner exchange with Russia as a great success. "It's a great diplomatic success that it has now been possible to free many German and other Western European and Western citizens from Russian prisons," she told ntv. Exchanging the Tiergarten murderer 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," Esken explained. However, the result is that many people have been brought to freedom and safety. "This deal shows that it is 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. Ultimately, 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 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 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 greeting someone. Under the image, 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 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 EU's Internal Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, has described Hungary's easing of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians as a "possible security threat" to the Union. She has sent a letter with questions to the Budapest government, Johansson told X. "Given the potential security threat to the Schengen area from these unilateral measures," Johansson has demanded 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 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 Belarusian journalist with Polish language skills 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." 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
According to official reports, there have been civilian casualties and injuries in multiple Ukrainian cities due to Russian attacks. A woman was killed and another civilian injured in an attack 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, pedestrians were attacked by a drone that dropped an explosive device, with one 54-year-old killed and a 75-year-old injured.
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 on the Ukrainian side 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, including Bachmut, Marjinka, and Avdiivka, as well as from the port city of Mariupol, the Coordination Staff for War Prisoners' Issues reported on Telegram. The handover was facilitated by international organizations. Photos show staff from the International Red Cross. The bodies will be identified and handed over to relatives for burial.
12:48 CDU Foreign Policy Expert Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus Could Become TargetsCDU 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," Hardt told ARD's "Morgenmagazin." 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," Hardt said. All Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should be warned that they could become targets, 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 Secret AgentThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, was an agent of the Russian secret service FSB. "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 secret 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 had the upper hand in the deal and made the West look weak. For Russia's president, the matter is a win in several ways, the expert explains.
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinThe released US journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview shortly before the prisoner exchange. He had to fill out an official pardon application to Putin while in prison, the "Wall Street Journal" 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 acquired in 16 months in prison. 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 about this 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. An analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, found that around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between fall 2022 and April 2024, based on federal budget data. Meanwhile, the ministry has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by that time.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Tiergarten Murderer ExchangeForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of prisoners held in Russia and Belarus but acknowledges that the exchange is a "highly sensitive dilemma." In an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she admits that Germany had to release a "hired killer" from Russia as part of the deal. She says the decision was not easy for the federal government and has sparked much debate.
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 has released 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 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 says in an interview with Deutschlandfunk. "This is a huge concession that the German state, the rule of law, has accepted for a higher good, that of humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people." He understands those who struggled with this decision, referring to the exchange of Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz Evaluates Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Vulnerable"ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a disastrous signal for Germans living abroad in the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin. The Kremlin is increasing pressure on both domestic and foreign opposition figures, he says.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough nut" for the US allies to crack, particularly for Germany and Slovenia, which had to make decisions against their immediate interests. He praises German Chancellor Scholz as "remarkable." A plane carrying released US citizens landed in the US overnight (local time), with another 13 people, including several Germans, arriving 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 under suspicion of espionage.
08:04 US Analyst believes Putin got what he wantedRegarding the prisoner exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted, believes analyst Tom Nichols. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next 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," believes Russia expert Nichols. He believes 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 relocation of long-range US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary. This is the conclusion of the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned stationing is likely to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," it says in a current brief information. 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 government and the federal government announced that the USA wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to an escalation with Russia. However, the former SPD chairman, Norbert Walter-Borjans, said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and also 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 after the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia in their homeland. "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" - you can see that in the tears of joy on the faces of 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 unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and families welcome freed AmericansThree Americans released as part of the 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 landed in the USAThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly arrived in the USA. The plane suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan landed at a US Air Force base early Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the US capital Washington late Thursday evening (local time) after more than nine hours in the air, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarUS National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the large-scale prisoner exchange 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 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, 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 casualties. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning Limited 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 exchange between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," the SPD politician said shortly after midnight at the airport. He had a detailed conversation with the arrivals. "That was very moving," Scholz said. "Many 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. On board were said to be around a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin Spokesman: Putin Daily Engaged in Ukraine WarRussian President Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to monitor the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that isn't seen on camera every day, work that isn't written about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitri Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly devotes time every day of the week to 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 with 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 Receives Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally received 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. 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 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 couple's efforts 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 "a hostage" of Putin and suffer and die from torture 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 is believed these were only for air defense purposes. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, a common practice to avoid aiding the enemy.
Catch up on all previous developments [here].
The attack on Ukraine continues to cause international concern, with countries like Turkey providing support in the form of military equipment. For instance, a second corvette-type warship, named "Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky", was launched in Turkey to aid Ukraine's security.
In light of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries, former BND chief Gerhard Schindler praised the federal government's actions, emphasizing that the Intelligence Services have fulfilled their task and that it opens up new opportunities for further negotiations and potential ceasefires.
