In the latest prisoner exchange involving Turkey, a total of 26 individuals were swapped between countries, with 10 heading to Russia, 13 to Germany, and 3 to the United States. This update comes from TRT News, the Turkish broadcaster reported to viewers.
The channel noted that the transfer to the exchange point was conducted using seven different planes. Among the sorties, two flights originated from the United States, while a single flight each arrived from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Russia.
Journalists described the operation as the largest coordinated move overseen by the National Intelligence Organization, known as MIT. The scale highlighted the logistical complexity and the sensitive nature of the negotiations that typically accompany such exchanges.
Earlier reporting from NTV suggested that a prior swap between Russia and the United States involved 26 prisoners arriving at an airport in Ankara, the Turkish capital. The roster included at least two children, underscoring the humanitarian dimensions often associated with exchanges of this kind.
Among the Americans listed were journalists Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, along with Alsou Kurmasheva, another journalist. On the Russian side, Vadim Krasikov, who received a life sentence in Germany, was named as part of the consignment. Observers pointed out the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the potential implications for further diplomatic and media coverage. The source for these details is noted as an online watch by socialbites.ca.
Earlier statements from the Kremlin touched on the broader issue of prisoner exchanges between the Russian Federation and Western nations, indicating ongoing dialogue and the potential for future agreements as part of broader diplomatic efforts.