US-Russia prisoner swap: WSJ’s Gershkovich among 26 exchanged

Turkish security sources have confirmed that a large-scale international prisoner exchange took place in Ankara on August 1. The swap, orchestrated by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), involved 26 individuals from seven countries, including Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.

According to sources, the exchange involved prisoners from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus. The operation, described as “the most comprehensive swap operation of recent times,” saw individuals transferred via seven planes arriving in Turkey from the participating countries.

The high-profile swap included several notable figures:

• Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia on espionage charges
• Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine held in Russia since 2018
• Rico Krieger, a German national held in Belarus
• Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition figure
• Vadim Krasikov, an FSB officer held in Germany

In total, 10 detainees, including two children, were transferred to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three to the United States.

MİT’s role in the swap

Turkish officials emphasized MIT’s crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the involved parties and managing the entire operation, from initial negotiations to the final exchanges. The agency coordinated all security measures, logistical planning, and communication between the countries involved.

“In this context, the exchange of hostages in Ankara, where the swap took place, was conducted under MIT’s control. Due to the large number of hostages to be exchanged, all individuals were taken from the planes under the supervision of MIT personnel and transferred to secure areas. After the completion of verification procedures by the participating countries, health checks of the hostages, and fulfillment of other requested needs, the hostages were placed on the planes of their destination countries with MIT’s approval and instructions. The return of the planes of the participating countries was also carried out with MIT’s approval,” sources said.

This prisoner swap marks the largest exchange between the United States, Russia, and Germany in recent years, highlighting Turkey’s growing influence.