Türkiye confirms exchange of 26 prisoners between Russia and West

There is this example that is set that if you’re a Russian assassin and you murder someone in broad daylight in a major European city, Russia will try and make sure you get home and will do whatever it takes to free you, including taking innocent people hostage,

Bergmann said

It’s a very high-profile case,

Bergmann said in an interview conducted before the news of the prisoner swap,

Vladimir Putinpresident

That person, due to patriotic sentiments, eliminated a bandit in one of the European capitals,

Putin said, appearing to tie Krasikov’s case to that of Gershkovich

There is a deep desire to see Gershkovich free, and it’s clear he’s being held hostage

he said

Ten prisoners, two of whom were children, have been sent to Russia as part of the exchange operation; thirteen prisoners to Germany; three prisoners to the United States; and three to Türkiye. A total of seven aircraft – two from the United States and one each from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Russia – were used in the operation."

Quote from the news report

After completing the procedures for coordinating with the participating countries, assessing the prisoners’ health, and meeting other prerequisites, the prisoners were placed on aircraft belonging to the countries they were scheduled to travel to, with the MİT's approval and guidance,

the report said

Sergei Markovpolitical consultant

There is a complex negotiation process underway, making it challenging to estimate the exact number of individuals involved in the exchange. These people are of varying 'value,' and each country aims to minimize the perceived importance of those it needs while maximizing the 'exchange value' of those it is giving away,

Markov explained

Russia's principal advantage is that it is bringing its people back to freedom,

the expert added

The Americans initially resisted acknowledging their political agents, preferring to call them as 'political prisoners.' However, they were ultimately compelled to admit the truth, so figures such as Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza may also be included,

he said

A [prisoner] exchange operation will take place today under the coordination of our organisation,

the Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT) said in a statement

Our organization has undertaken a major mediation role in this exchange operation, which is the most comprehensive of the recent period,

the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) said in a statement