Putin Pardons Prisoners in Major Swap

In a significant prisoner exchange, 16 individuals were swapped between Russia and Western nations, marking the largest such swap since the Cold War. Prominent political prisoners, including British journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza and American reporter Evan Gershkovich, were among those released, with Kara-Murza expressing relief and his hope for a future free Russia. The Kremlin announced that President Putin pardoned 13 of the exchanged prisoners, while Dmitry Medvedev, a close Putin ally, issued thinly veiled threats to the freed dissidents. Medvedev suggested they would need to conceal their identities to avoid potential retaliation from Russian security forces. The swap also included the release of Russian prisoners, with the Kremlin expressing gratitude to Belarus for facilitating the process. Despite the release, Kremlin officials warned the political prisoners against returning to Russia, emphasizing the risks involved.