The American hostages freed in a prisoner swap with Russia on Thursday were seen smiling and proudly displaying a US flag in the first official photo of the trio since their release.
Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan were all set free in the biggest prisoner swap between the US and Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Here’s the latest on former Russian prisoner Evan Gershkovich
- New video shows savage arrest of freed WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich by Russian officers
- Who is Evan Gershkovich, WSJ reporter freed in Russian prisoner swap?
- First photo shows smiling Evan Gershkovich with Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva since they were freed in prisoner swap
- President Biden delivers first remarks since Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and other US captives freed: ‘Their brutal ordeal is over’
- Russia frees American journalist Evan Gershkovich in prisoner swap after 16 months behind bars
Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan hold an American flag after being released in the prisoner swap with Russia.
Gershkovich was seen boarding a plane from Russia Thursday. Russia State TV via Reuters
The WSJ journalist was imprisoned for 16 months. Russia State TV via Reuters
The hostages were seen smiling and proudly displaying a US flag in the first official photos of the trio since their release. X / @POTUS
Paul Whelan was also released Thursday as part of the prisoner swap. Russia State TV via Reuters
Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker reacts to the successful prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia and the release of reporter Evan Gershkovich, in the Wall Street Journal newsroom on August 1, 2024. Wall Street Journal/AFP via Getty Images
The Wall Street Journal editors and reporters listen to editor-in-chief Emma Tucker speak about Evan Gershkovich’s release, in the Wall Street Journal newsroom on August 1, 2024. Wall Street Journal/AFP via Getty Images
Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker and staff react to the successful prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia and the release of reporter Evan Gershkovich in the Wall Street Journal newsroom on August 1, 2024. Wall Street Journal/AFP via Getty ImagesThe multi-nation deal set more than two dozen people free, according to the White House, and was the result of lengthy and clandestine behind-the-scenes negotiations, which were successful despite relations between Moscow and Washington being the worst they’ve been since the Cold War.
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