:[[Russia]] and several Western nations, including [[Germany]] and the [[United States]], conduct a major [[prisoner exchange]] mediated by [[Turkey]], with ten prisoners being transferred to Russia, thirteen to [[Germany]], and three to the United States. Journalist [[Evan Gershkovich]], former marine [[Paul Whelan (security director)|Paul Whelan]], and Russian opposition figure [[Vladimir Kara-Murza]] are among those freed. [https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-d803e266cb4e60135ec5d668d684529f (AP)] [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/1/us-russia-swap-prisoner-in-extensive-deal (Al Jazeera)]