The exchange “showed Putin's priorities” – TVN24

As part of the prisoner exchange carried out in Ankara on Thursday between the West and Russia 26 people (including two children) were released, including: Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition figure who also holds British citizenship, Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who holds British citizenship USA, CanadaGreat Britain and Irelandand Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Among those released as part of the prisoner exchange are three activists who headed Navalny's campaign staff in the Russian regions: Lilia Chanysheva, Vadim Ostanin and Ksenia Fadeeva.

WITH German Vadim Krasikov, released as part of the exchange, flew to Russia, sentenced by a court in Berlin to life imprisonment for the murder of Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in August 2019.

– Of course, it's a great pity that my father is not among those released, but I am very happy for all the people who were released, Dasha Navalnaya, the daughter of the deceased oppositionist, told CNN.

– This exchange showed the priorities of the Russian government, their choice shows that Putin does not want smart, honest people who love their country. Instead, he chooses spies, murderers, criminals – she commented.

READ MORE: Convicted killer in Putin's arms

After the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, the US vice president Kamala Harris spoke by phone with Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Navalnaya's spokeswoman reported the phone call on the X website, adding that Harris also wanted to convey her support to the opposition leader's widow.

The White House tried to secure the release of Navalny, who died on February 16 in a penal colony above the Arctic Circle.