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Russia and Ukraine Begin First Stage of Major Prisoner Exchange

Authorities said the large-scale swap, agreed upon during direct talks in Istanbul last week, would take place over the course of several days.

Police Arrest Ex-Convicts After They Flee Military Base in Rostov Region

Four of the deserters were initially caught soon after they fled during Victory Day celebrations across Russia.

At Least 10 Ex-Convicts Flee Army Base in Rostov Region — Reports

The men were reported missing after failing to appear for uniform distribution on Friday morning, an anonymous police source told journalists.

Russian Spy Chief Signals More Prisoner Swap Talks With U.S. After Latest Exchange

SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin said that “dialogue with the new U.S. administration will certainly continue,” including on the issue of prisoner exchanges...

French Researcher Jailed in Russia Transferred to Penal Colony, Family Says

Laurent Vinatier’s relatives said a lawyer informed them that he had been moved from Moscow to a transit colony in Tula.

Russia Frees U.S.-Russian Dual National Ksenia Karelina in Prisoner Swap With United States

Karelina was swapped for Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian dual national arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of U.S. authorities.

Putin Secretly Awards Swapped Spy Couple – Reports

The information first appeared in the SVR’s “Spy” magazine. However, independent outlet Agentstvo was unable to find the matching decree.

U.S. Man Jailed in Russia Interviewed on State TV

Gordon Black was jailed for threatening to kill his Russian girlfriend whom he met online and stealing $102 from her.

Russian Police Launch Manhunt After 6 Inmates Escape Prison

Prison guards in the western Lipetsk region were alerted to the prisoners’ disappearance after carrying out a routine inspection.

opinion Jack Margolin

Russia’s Convict Soldiers Put Quantity Over Quality on the Battlefield

Moscow cannot rely forever on recruiting convicts to fight in Ukraine. The costs of this Wagner-inspired approach are becoming clear.

Russian Internet Pioneer ‘Dying in Prison,’ Son Says

Known as the father of the Russian internet, Alexei Soldatov was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this year.

opinion Abubakar Yangulbaev

Why Were No Chechens or Prisoners of Kadyrov Included in the Prisoner Swap?

Chechnya’s history is inseparable from why the exchange happened in the first place. The fact no Chechens were freed is a glaring omission.

Jailed Anti-War Journalist Ponomarenko Threatens Self-Harm Over Prison Abuse

Maria Ponomarenko was sentenced to six years in prison in February 2023 for spreading “fake news” about Russia’s 2022 bombing of a theater in Mariupol...

Ex-Wagner Fighter Signs Military Contract After Second Murder Conviction

Ivan Rossomakhin had been serving a 14-year sentence for murder when he was first recruited by the Wagner mercenary group in 2022 to fight in Ukraine.

Police ‘Neutralize’ 4 Inmates After Hostage Standoff at Volgograd Region Prison

At least three prison guards were killed in the siege.

Lukashenko Says Biden Had ‘Nothing to Do With’ Historic Prisoner Exchange

“Of course, someone like the U.S. President will boost his authority with this, even though he had nothing to do with it,” the Belarusian leader claimed...

Russian Prosecutors Label Prisoner Rights Group as ‘Undesirable’

Authorities accused the organization of “demonizing” Russia and attempting to “rewrite” its history.

As It Happened: World Watches as Russia, West Hold Major Prisoner Exchange

Slovenia Expels Russian Couple Convicted of Spying

Slovenian media, citing anonymous sources, reported that the convicted couple would be part of an upcoming prisoner swap.

Lawyer of Ex-U.S. Marine Jailed in Russia Says Cannot Confirm His Whereabouts

“I had asked the prison’s administration, but they’re not responding,” lawyer Olga Karlova was quoted as saying by state media.

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