Massive International Prisoner Swap on the Horizon

A significant prisoner exchange involving Russia and Belarus, and the United States, Germany, Slovenia, and Britain, appears imminent. Key figures include former U.S. marine Paul Whelan and Russian-British dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza. Movements of various dissidents and officials' secrecy further fuel rumors of the biggest swap since the Cold War.

Signals of a major prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and the United States, Germany, Slovenia, and Britain intensified on Wednesday, with no official confirmation of what could be the largest swap since the Cold War. Former U.S. marine Paul Whelan and Russian-British dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, both jailed in Russia, disappeared from view, their lawyers reported, following unexpected transfers of at least seven Russian dissidents from their prisons.

Online Russian media outlet 'Agenstvo' disclosed that six special Russian government planes traveled to and from regions where these prisons are located, although Reuters could not immediately confirm this. Meanwhile, Alexander Vinnik's lawyer declined to confirm Vinnik's location, a Russian man held in the U.S., amid the exchange rumors. RIA reported that four Russians incarcerated in the U.S. had vanished from the Federal Bureau of Prisons' database.

The Kremlin and Western governments remain silent. Exchanges like these are often kept secret until finalized. Prominent dissidents reportedly moved include Ilya Yashin, Oleg Orlov, and Daniil Krinari. The scale of these movements suggests preparations for the exchange, potentially the largest since the Cold War. Expectations include the inclusion of two journalists, the U.S.'s Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva.

(With inputs from agencies.)