In a remarkable display of international cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, a complex prisoner swap involving seven countries unfolded on Thursday, marking the largest exchange between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. The intricate operation, which freed American journalist Evan Gershkovich and 22 others, required meticulous planning and precise execution by some of the world's most powerful intelligence agencies.
The exchange began with a flurry of activity across multiple locations. In southwest Germany, a private jet took off carrying an unusual group of passengers: police officers, doctors, intelligence agents, a senior aide to Germany's chancellor, and a bound Russian assassin named Vadim Krasikov. Simultaneously, a Russian government jet departed for Ankara, Turkey, transporting officers from the F.S.B. intelligence agency and 16 prisoners being released by Russia and Belarus.
For those being freed by Russia, the day started at Moscow's Lefortovo jail. Prisoners had been gathered from facilities as far away as Siberia, many unaware of their impending release. Some, like opposition politician Ilya Yashin, boarded the plane wearing only prison robes, carrying nothing more than basic toiletries. Vladimir Kara-Murza, another prominent dissident, found himself traveling in long johns, an undershirt, and rubber shower slippers.
The logistics of the swap were daunting. C.I.A. officers had met with F.S.B. counterparts in Turkey the previous month to finalize terms and plan the tarmac choreography in Ankara. Even in the final hours, Western officials harbored concerns about potential complications, such as Russia not delivering the agreed-upon roster of prisoners or attempting to swap in look-alikes. To address these concerns, forensic experts were on hand to visually identify the prisoners being handed over to Germany.
As the various planes converged on Ankara's Esenboga Airport, a complex dance ensued on the tarmac. Turkey's MIT spy agency oversaw the operation, with agents in dark suits and sunglasses monitoring the proceedings. The American delegation included officials from the White House, FBI, CIA, and State Department, who maintained contact with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan via secure, encrypted telephones.
The actual exchange involved a carefully orchestrated series of movements. German officers escorted the bound Krasikov to a white bus, where he joined other prisoners being released by Western countries. The freed Americans, Gershkovich, security contractor Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, were taken to a second bus. A third bus carried the 13 prisoners being released by Russia, including several German nationals and prominent Russian dissidents.
In a crucial step, German forensic experts boarded the bus carrying those freed by Russia to verify their identities. Only after the Americans were certain that Russia had fulfilled its end of the bargain did they provide signed clemency papers to the three Russian prisoners in their custody. With all verifications complete, the various groups were swiftly moved to their respective planes. The Russian jet quickly took off for Moscow, where a red-carpet welcome awaited, while the freed Western prisoners were flown to their respective countries for debriefing and support.
