Russia\u2019s release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva is cause for celebration: The three were freed as part of a sweeping prisoner exchange that also saw the release of prominent Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza and other opponents of Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine. <\/p>\n
But the Russians can also count a win. This was not an episode ripped from a John le Carr\u00e9-style thriller, with spies on both sides being exchanged across a bridge. Instead, the Kremlin collected human collateral \u2013 journalists and opposition figures, both Russian and foreign \u2013 to secure the release of Russians apparently serving the interests of the state. <\/p>\n
Among those headed back to Russia are convicted hackers and several Russian nationals detained in the West for spying. And the biggest prize for Russia was the return of Vadim Krasikov, a convicted hitman whose release had been publicly sought by Russian President Vladimir Putin. <\/p>\n
Krasikov was convicted by a German court of the 2019 killing of Zelimkhan \u201cTornike\u201d Khangoshvili, an ethnic Chechen of Georgian nationality, in a Berlin park. In a February interview with right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson, Putin cast the assassination of Khangoshvili as a public service, describing Krasikov as \u201ca man who, for patriotic reasons, eliminated a bandit.\u201d <\/p>\n
The release of Krasikov and others accused of espionage appears to send a familiar message. If you work for us, you will ultimately be rewarded and protected. And if you betray us, our memories are long. <\/p>\n
Take the case of Viktor Bout, the Russian who was exchanged in 2022 for basketball star Brittney Griner. Described as \u201cone of the world\u2019s most prolific arms dealers\u201d by the US Department of Justice \u2013 and the inspiration for the anti-hero of the Hollywood film Lord of War \u2013 Bout was long suspected of ties to Russian intelligence services. <\/p>\n
After his return to Russia, Bout found a place in politics, winning a seat in a regional legislature. He had flattering interviews in the press and appeared at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the favorite annual talking-shop for Putin and the Russian elite. <\/p>\n
Anna Chapman, one of 10 Russian sleeper agents deported from the US in a 2010 prisoner swap, was also feted on her return to Russia. She was elected to a pro-government board. She also launched her own line of clothing. <\/p>\n
Chapman and nine other so-called \u201cillegals\u201d were traded for four people, including former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted of spying for the United Kingdom. <\/p>\n
Skripal and his daughter Yulia survived poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok in the English cathedral city of Salisbury in 2018. Britain blamed the poisoning on Russia; Russia has consistently denied involvement, although Putin referred to Skripal as a \u201cscumbag\u201d and a \u201ctraitor,\u201d his contempt suggesting that Skripal had gotten his just desserts. <\/p>\n