The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kumasheva touched down at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday night.
The trio were greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after being freed from detention in Russia as part of a massive multi-country prisoner swap, the largest exchange in post-Soviet history.
Whelan was the first to disembark on Thursday. The Marine veteran was arrested and jailed by Russia in 2018 on espionage charges.
Whelan’s brother, David, previously expressed disappointment after Whelan wasn’t included in a 2022 prison swap, which saw the release of WNBA player Britney Griner.
“We are grateful for everyone’s efforts to help Paul while he was away. We hope you will continue to help him by providing Paul the space and privacy he needs as he rebuilds his life,” Whelan’s family said in a statement on his release, per CBS News.
Photographers also captured the moving moments of the three being reunited with their family members.
The Journal’s Gershkovich, who has been detained by the Russians for 491 days on espionage charges, was seen embracing his mother, Ella Milman.
Kurmasheva was reunited with her husband, Pavel Butorin, and daughters Bibi and Miriam on Thursday night.
The Russian-American journalist was visiting her mother in May 2023 when Russian authorities confiscated her passports and detained her, per Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Russia later accused Kurmasheva of being a foreign agent and detained her.
The stop at Joint Base Andrews will just be the first on their journey. Next, the three will head to San Antonio, Texas to Brooke Army Medical Center for evaluation and any treatment that they need.
“We have waited 491 days for Evan’s release, and it’s hard to describe what today feels like. We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close,” Gershkovich’s family said in a statement on Thursday.
“No family should have to go through this, and so we share relief and joy today with Paul and Alsu’s families,” the statement added.
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