Freed Americans arrive in Washington as part of exchange with Russia
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris welcome the freed Americans from Russian prison (photo: screenshot from video twitter.com/POTUS)
A plane carrying US citizens released from Russia has landed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington as part of a major exchange. On board were journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, as well as former Marine Paul Whelan, according to a broadcast from the White House and US President Joe Biden’s Twitter account.
The American president greeted them at the airport. Additionally, the freed US citizens were also met by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Join @VP and me as we greet Americans freed from Russia at Joint Base Andrews. https://t.co/0B5iOzYKk0
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 2, 2024
In the footage released by the media, Gershkovich, Whelan, and Kurmasheva can be seen being embraced by their loved ones, relatives, and top officials.
Prisoner exchange between Russia and the West
On August 1, a major prisoner exchange took place between Russia and Belarus on one side, and the US and Germany on the other. In total, 24 prisoners were exchanged.
For more details on this exchange, described as the largest since the Cold War, and whether it has brought any closer to an end to the war in Ukraine, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
Earlier, we reported that footage of the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at a Turkish airport had already surfaced online.
