Some of the prisoners freed by Russia yesterday as part of a historic prisoner exchange deal with the US and other Western nations landed late at night (local time) at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.

Among them are the journalists of the Wall Street Journal, Evan Gershkowitz and RFE/RL Alsou Kurmasevaas well as the former Marine Paul Whelan.

The plane carrying them landed at 06:40 (Greece time) and the released were personally welcomed by the American president Joe Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris.

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Evan Gerskovich hugs his mother

The swap deal was struck after more than a year of negotiations between the US, Germany and three other countries on the one hand and Russia on the other.

A total of 26 people held in prisons in seven different countries were exchanged. Among the eight Russian citizens who are expected to be released is O Vadim Krazikovwho is serving a life sentence for the 2019 murder of a Kremlin opponent in Berlin.

The release of the prisoners was welcomed by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Mr of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.

Last night the US government released the first photo of the Americans who were released. The exchange of prisoners takes place in Ankara, under the supervision of the Turkish secret services.

On the official account on X of the president of the USA Joe Biden a photo of them was uploaded Evan Gerskovich, Alsou Kurmaseva and Paul Whelan in the plane with American officials and holding the American flag.

“After unimaginable suffering and uncertainty, Americans held in Russia are safe, free and have begun their journeys back to the arms of their families,” Biden’s caption reads.

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Another photo was also released showing Evan Gershkovic, Alsou Kurmaseva and Paul Whelan in Turkey, holding an American flag.

Russian state television also shows the moment journalist Evan Gershkovich, Vladimir Kara-Muzra, Paul Whelan and other members board a plane to leave Russia.