GERSHKOVICH, WHELAN FREED ALONG WITH DOZENS OF OTHER POLITICAL PRISONERS!

The New York Times has just announced that Russia has agreed to "a sweeping prisoner exchange", and has freed both Evan Gershkovich AND Paul Whelan in what the Times, calls this most expansive prisoner swap with Russia in decades, (likely since the "Cold War") and says it received the information from officials in Turkey.

Goosebumps & Congratulations to the families and friends of all these very hard-fought-for prisoners. Hopefully a new return to diplomacy.

And that's NOT ALL: The Washington Post listed additional prison releases:

ALSO RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES are Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladmir Kara-Murza

Returning to Russia is Vadim Krasikov, a convicted assassin, Natalia Kolesnikova,

Alexander Namenov and Alexander Zemlionichenko

Photos of the released individuals are being widely circulated today, including on the Washington Post website.

Russia also released opposition leader Lilia Chanysheva.

At least 28 prisoners were released to other countries while 8 were returned to Russia.

Credit for the names and totals of those released - The Washington Post

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