WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan are dramatically released by Russia as part of a major prisoner exchange with the United States.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan have been released from prison in Russia.

The men were released as part of a major prisoner swap with Moscow, said to involve between 20 and 30 political prisoners.

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges that the United States considers illegitimate. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in July.

Whelan, 54, has been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges. The United States has denied involvement in spying operations.

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