Gershkovich and Whelan Freed in Historic Swap

In a historic prisoner swap, Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who were wrongfully detained in Russia, have been released, sparking joy and relief in their hometowns of Princeton, New Jersey, and Manchester, Michigan. The swap involved 16 people detained in Russia in exchange for eight held in the U.S. and other countries, facilitated by Turkey. Celebrations erupted as families and friends of the released detainees gathered to welcome them home. Among those expressing joy was WNBA star Brittney Griner, who herself was part of a high-profile prisoner exchange in 2022. Griner, currently competing in the 2024 Olympic Games, emphasized the emotional significance and described the day as a 'huge win' for the families involved.