Russia handed over 250 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers
12:48 CDU Foreign Policy Expert Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus Could Become VictimsCDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt views 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 told ARD's "Morning Magazine." The Russian president could now effectively tell any hired killer, "You see, I get you out." The policy must be clear, Hardt says, that "we have come onto a slippery slope with this." All Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should 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 Intelligence AgentThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, was an agent of the Russian intelligence service FSB. "Krasikov is a member of the FSB," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Krasikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, had belonged to an elite unit of the intelligence service.
11:55 Security Expert Umbach: Exchange Strengthens Putin's Image of a 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, this is a win on several levels, 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, for which Gershkovich works. The form also had an empty field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it in with "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? No response from the Russian president is known. Read more here.
11:00 Russian Contract Soldier Numbers May Be Exaggerated
Russia is attempting to recruit volunteers for its war against Ukraine with financial incentives. However, the number of new recruits may be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to the independent Russian-language online media outlet "Important Stories" based in Riga. A joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, estimates that around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between autumn 2022 and April 2024. This is based on data from the federal budget. Meanwhile, the ministry has claimed to have 640,000 contract soldiers by that point.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Tiergarten Murderer Exchange
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus but admits that the exchange is a "highly sensitive dilemma." In an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she acknowledges that Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as part of the deal. She stresses that this decision was not taken lightly and has sparked much debate. However, she believes it was the right thing to do for the sake of the 16 people freed.
10:04 Jäger: "We're Back in a Time When Russia Takes Hostages"
In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow has freed a convicted murderer. Critics argue that this deal incentivizes the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, a view shared by political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Röttgen Has Mixed Feelings About Deal: Huge Sacrifice for Rule of Law
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. While he supports the decision, he acknowledges that it's a "huge sacrifice" for the German state and the rule of law. He understands those who struggled with this decision, referring to the exchange of Tiergarten murderer Vadim Krasikov.
09:00 Munz Assesses Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Vulnerable"
ntv's Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin as a dangerous sign for Germans living abroad. He believes it increases pressure on both domestic and international opposition figures.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" Scholz
According to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough call" for the US's allies, particularly Germany and Slovenia, who 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, while another 13 people, including several Germans, arrived 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.
08:04 US Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has obtained what he wanted in the prisoner exchange. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin has sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and treating them 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 Stationing of Long-Range Missiles Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism from the SPD and others has been raised about the planned relocation of far-reaching US weapons to Germany without a Bundestag decision. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment is likely to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," according to a recent briefing. The legal basis would likely include the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces 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 could reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and Union faction deputy Johann Wadephul called for a debate on such a decision 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 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 describes it as an "incredible day," evident in the joyful tears of the families present. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary demonstration of the power of diplomacy," she says.
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 Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans freed 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. For more on this story, click here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Land in the USThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly 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 early Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near the US capital, Washington, late Thursday night (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 says the large-scale prisoner exchange 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 Russia-attacked country. "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 are no casualties. "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 partially. 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 from 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 spoken extensively 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 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin Spokesman: Putin Daily Involved in Ukraine WarKremlin leader 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 every day on camera, work that is not read about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitri Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly dedicates 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 the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes carrying freed prisoners have 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 interrupted his vacation and 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 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, 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 television images released by the Kremlin. 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 nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the freed prisoners. Among those released was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Nawalny's WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalny'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 release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a cause for celebration," she said. No one should be "a hostage" of Putin and suffer and die 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.
You can read all previous developments [here].*
The President of the Council, Hardt, expresses concern about the potential impact of the Tiergarten murderer's release on Germans in Russia and Belarus, urging caution and protection for these individuals. In response to the confirmation that the Tiergarten murderer was a Russian intelligence agent, the President of the Council might need to reevaluate their stance on the situation and the safety of Germans in Russia and Belarus.
