When eight Russian citizens, including a convicted hitman, landed in Moscow on Thursday in a historic prisoner swap with the West, they were greeted as heroes by President Vladimir Putin.
Why did Putin agree to the prisoner exchange?
“I want to congratulate you all on your return to your homeland,” Putin beamed, assuring the group, which also included cybercriminals and spies, that Russia had not forgotten them “for a minute.”
Putin's message — both to those released on Thursday and to his agents around the world — was clear: Even if you are caught, the Kremlin stands with you.
A total of 24 people were released on Thursday, 16 of whom went to the West and eight to Russia. It is the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War.
