Russian prisoners swap: What to know about Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan release

The Wall Street Journal announced one of its reporters is being released from Russian custody as part of the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and Western countries since the Cold War.

Journalist Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan left a Russian aircraft in Turkey Thursday morning, the WSJ reported. They are two of 16 detainees released in exchange for eight Russian prisoners across five countries.

Amid heightened global tensions over the Russia-Ukraine war, this is President Joe Biden's second high-profile prisoner swap with Russia. Biden called the negotiations "tough" and "complex," expressing gratitude to U.S. allies.

Here is what we know about the deal:

Live updates: Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan are free. Russia releases Americans in prisoner swap

Who is being freed in the prisoner swap?

24 prisoners across six countries are being swapped, but not all names were immediately available. Here is who we know:

• Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in March 2023
• Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, detained in December 2018
• Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,
• Russian-British journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza

One of the biggest concessions to Russia was Germany's release of Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov.

Swap comes amid high tensions with Russia

The historic exchange is a rare moment of cooperation between Russia and political adversaries in the West.

It has been more than two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and Biden has repeatedly sought to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for the war with sanctions, funding for Ukraine and global support through NATO.

Eight Russian prisoners in Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Poland and the U.S. are being released as part of the deal.

The U.S. State Department claims Russia weaponizes political prisoners; Russian disputes the claim, labeling the detainees as extremists or spies.

Looking back at Trump and Biden prisoner swaps

Former President Donald Trump made no public statements about Whelan when he was arrested in 2018, during his presidency.

But Trump was been vocal about Whelan while Biden was in office. He also campaigned on a promise to get Gershkovich released, which his own former aides critiqued for potentially interfering in the negotiations.

This prisoner swap is at least the second high-profile swap for Biden. Basketball player Brittney Griner was detained on drug-related charges in February 2022. She was eventually released in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap was controversial as Biden failed to get Whelan released as well.

During Trump's presidency, his administration secured the release of several detained Americans from North Korea.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Josh Meyer, Joey Garrison, Kim Hjelmgaard, Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russian prisoners swap: What to know about Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan release