Kara-Mursa: Sanctions against ordinary Russians are "unfair"
21:28 Ukraine Expects Increased Emigration in 2024 and 2025 Due to Energy Infrastructure Destruction
The Ukraine expects an increase in emigration due to the destruction of its energy infrastructure as a result of escalating Russian attacks. According to a report by the Ukrainian central bank, it is predicted that 400,000 Ukrainians will leave the country this year, with another 300,000 potentially leaving next year. This trend will be exacerbated by the near-total destruction of the Ukrainian energy system, which is leading to longer power outages and increasing risks for the heating season, the central bank explains.
20:51 Opposition Figures: Do Not Confuse the Russian People with Putin's Regime
Kara-Mursa and Russian opposition figure Andrei Pivovarov, who were both 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's propaganda," Kara-Mursa said at a press conference in Bonn. "It's wrong to equate the Russian people with the government's policies," Pivovarov added. They stressed that it was their mission to work towards making Russia "free and democratic." They 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 participated in the press conference, said he had categorically refused, like Yashin, to write a pardon request to Putin. 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 added that he wanted to thank "all the people in Germany who have been working and will continue to work for the release of political prisoners."
19:27 Jachin: I did not want to be exchangedRussian opposition politician Ilya Yachin does not see his release as a prisoner exchange, but as an "illegal expulsion against my will". The politician stated this at a press conference in Bonn. "From the first day behind bars, I said that I was not ready for an exchange. I publicly requested 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 Yachin. "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 for 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 ceremony for the launch of the corvette.
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, 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 also very wisely here," emphasizes the former BND chief. "The intelligence services have thus fulfilled their task. And that is of course a good step into the future, because one can say, we can build on that," explains Schindler. New topics could now 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 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 Kremlin reports. "The children of the secret agents who arrived yesterday knew they were Russians only when their plane took off in Ankara," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, according to Russian news agency Interfax. The children reportedly 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 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 described the prisoner exchange with Russia as a great success. "It's 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," said the SPD federal chairwoman to 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 the result is that many people could be brought to freedom and security. "The deal shows that it is possible to negotiate, to enter into negotiations, even with the Russian state, even with the Russian aggressor, on issues 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 even willing to talk to us," said 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 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 Sacharova 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 picture, it says: "Biden receives Alexey 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 labor camp, his team believes 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. "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 home affairs commissioner said. 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 explained. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had signed a decree at the beginning of July, widening 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 Law and Justice (PiS) party accused the cabinet of Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X of having secured the release of 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 did release Pablo González, 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 Attacks
Several Ukrainian cities have reported deaths and injuries from Russian attacks, according to authorities. A woman was killed and another civilian injured in a strike on the city of Kupjansk, the governor of the Kharkiv region reported. In Derhachi, a bus carrying construction workers was attacked by a drone, with seven injured reported. In Kherson, a drone attack on pedestrians killed a 54-year-old and injured a 75-year-old, authorities said.
13:34 ISW: Russians Slowly but Steadily Advancing in the East
Russian forces appear to be making progress in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. West of Avdiivka, they continue to advance slowly and steadily towards Pokrovsk, according to an analysis by the U.S. 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 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, according to the Coordination Staff for Prisoner of War Affairs on Telegram. The handover was facilitated by international organizations. Photos show employees of the International Red Cross. 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 the prisoner exchange as ambivalent. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," Hardt said in the ARD "Morning Magazine." The Russian president could now practically tell any hired killer: "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 is Russian Secret AgentThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, is a member 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 towards 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, this is a win on multiple levels, 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, according to the "Wall Street Journal," which Gershkovich works for. The form also had an empty field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal Russian he had acquired in 16 months of detention," proposing an interview in the last line. 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 monetary 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, based on federal budget data. 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 but admits in the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation that the exchange is a "highly sensitive dilemma" because 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," the minister says, adding that it "rightly also leads to a lot of discussion."
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 releases 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 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 for a higher good, that of humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people, so it's a give and take." 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 dissidents at home and abroad.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough nut" for the US allies to crack. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that went against their immediate interests, Biden says. Especially Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable." A plane with 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 spying from Russia. Read more about this here.
08:04 US Analyst believes Putin got what he wantedLooking at 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 bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and treating them like pieces of meat 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 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 necessary. This is the conclusion of the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned stationing should "take place within the NATO alliance framework," it says in a current information sheet. The legal basis should be, among other things, 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 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" - you can see that in the tears of joy of the family members. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary demonstration of how important it is to have a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
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 showed "incredible courage" after being unlawfully detained 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 Land 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 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 the negotiations over the detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia. "In our view, 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 are no casualties. "The downed targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning in Russia Only in a Limited MannerComplaints are growing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning in a limited manner. Several media outlets reported outages and referred to the service "Sboj.RF" that 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: Freed 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 here safely," the SPD politician said shortly after midnight at the airport. He had spoken at length with the arrivals. "That was very moving," said Scholz. "Many did not expect this to happen now." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes from Ankara landed in Cologne-Bonn late in the evening, carrying about a dozen of the total 16 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 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," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview, as quoted by the state agency TASS. Putin reportedly devotes time every day of the week to monitor the special operation, as the war against 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 the 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 have a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in cruel and arbitrary detention." Buschmann was referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Justice Minister, he said that the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial for him. Read more about this here.
22:13 Putin Personally Receives Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians freed from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard stood in formation, as shown in Kremlin-published TV footage. Also present were Russian security 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 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, 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 as "great joy." Every release 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 aiding the enemy.
Catch up on earlier developments here.
The European Union may need to provide additional support to Ukraine as emigration numbers continue to increase due to the destruction of the country's energy infrastructure.
Given the recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Western states, it is crucial for the EU to maintain a clear stance on dealing with authoritarian regimes and upholding the rule of law.
