Old Video of U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange Circulates Amid Recent Russia-West Swap
The Claim
Exchange of prisoners between Russia and the USA in Ankara.
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Emerging story
Amid the recent prisoner swap between Russia and the U.S., social media users widely spread a video clip purportedly showing the moment of the swap in Turkey.
An X user shared the video, along with the caption, “An exchange of 26 prisoners between the Russian Federation and the United States took place at Ankara airport.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating footage and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the video making the rounds to be older than claimed.
Outdated Footage Shows U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange
Contrary to social media users’ spread claim, the video does not feature the recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia.
The video, instead, was uploaded to YouTube on April 27, 2022, and it shows the U.S. and Russia conducting a prisoner exchange, releasing a former U.S. Marine and a Russian pilot.
According to the Washington Post, the exchange deal took place in Turkey, and it highlights ongoing bilateral engagement despite heightened tensions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The Biden administration stated that the arrangement, which freed American Trevor Reed, necessitated President Biden to make the difficult decision to repatriate Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was imprisoned in the United States on drug smuggling charges. However, U.S. officials noted that Biden was willing to make this decision as Reed's health was deteriorating in Russian detention.
Recent Prisoner Swap Between Russia and the West
In total, 24 people imprisoned in seven different countries were exchanged in Ankara, according to Turkey's presidency. The prisoners had been held in the U.S., Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus. The statement noted that ten people, including two minors, were relocated to Russia, thirteen prisoners to Germany, and three to the U.S.
Three Americans, freed in a prisoner swap deal with Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, have returned to U.S. soil. Gershkovich, 32, was among sixteen individuals exchanged for eight Russian prisoners in what is considered the largest swap since the Cold War between Russia and the West.
The exchange at a Turkish airfield also saw the release of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. They were welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Biden praised the efforts of America's allies, particularly Germany and Slovenia, and commended the release of Whelan, Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, and leading Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin personally welcomed the Russians released from Western jails with bouquets of flowers at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport.
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