Russia To Release Convicted Spy Evan Gershkovich In Major Prisoner Exchange
Russia today released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a prisoner exchange with the U.S., Belarus and Germany:
Russia will soon release multiple political prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, according to Bloomberg News.
...
Among those prisoners is Gershkovich, who was convicted in July of espionage and sentenced to 16 years on charges that both the Wall Street Journal and the US government reject as made-up.
...
Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March 2023 while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, where he was accused of spying for the US. He has been behind bars ever since.
Yekaterinburg is a major Russia weapon manufacturing center. According to his colleagues Gershkovich went there to interview local lawmakers and random workers from weapon factories. As I analyzed at that time, Gershkovich's questions about Russian weapon production during a time of war did not seemed consistent with mere reporting:
[T]his was about more than just asking random workers:The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was interested in operation of military-industrial complex facilities in Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Region Legislative Assembly deputy Vycheslav Vegner, whom the reporter interviewed earlier, told TASS Thursday.Anything about weapon production numbers or related issues are of course state secrets, at least during times of war. What then do we call such inquiries if not espionage?"[During the interview, Gershkovich] started asking questions regarding the military-industrial complex of Yekaterinburg, he named one such enterprise - ‘Novator’- and so on," Vegner said.
According to the lawmaker, the reported cited the experience of other regions on industry conversion and asked about the Sverdlovsk Region experience - for example, whether the enterprises change their profile, how many shifts there are, and if they are appropriately staffed. Vegner noted during the interview that he is not authorized to answer such question.
Novator, the company Gershkovich asked about, is a major designer and producer of Russia's long range air defense systems.
Russian authorities also claim that Gershkovich was caught while receiving secret data from a Russian source.
From the very beginning of the case the U.S. government had shown an extraordinary interest in it.
Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal kept insisting that Gershkovich was not spying on Russia.
How would they even know that?
Daniel McAdams @DanielLMcAdams - 4:30 UTC · Aug 1, 2024Why won't the Wall Street Journal even make a cursory effort to refute the Russian charges? What was he doing there, meeting with Russian sources asking technical questions about Russian tank production? Was he Operation Mockingbird? Why won't our own side come clean?
Nahh - don't ever expect that to happen - unless, maybe 20 years from now.
Posted by b on August 1, 2024 at 13:13 UTC | Permalink
Glasshopper beat me. I had some query. Why is there no notice of this in any news story?
Telling the story as told makes it an unequivocal US victory over the evil Russkies. Doubt very much this occurred.
Posted by: oldhippie | Aug 1 2024 13:37 utc | 3
Goes to show if you are going to spy in Russia best to be a Black Lesbian
Athlete or a Jewish reporter, I guess the Russians still have that Ex-Marine.
Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Aug 1 2024 13:43 utc | 4
Who's being swapped on the other side?
Posted by: Glasshopper | Aug 1 2024 13:28 utc | 1
So far just found this
"Among those expected to be freed by Western governments in exchange are Anna and Artyom Dultsev, two deep-cover Russian spies who were convicted of espionage in Slovenia on Wednesday, and Vadim Krasikov, a colonel in Russia’s Federal Security Service who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany for the assassination of a former Chechen rebel commander in a Berlin park in 2019."
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 1 2024 13:43 utc | 5
Goes to show if you are going to spy in Russia best to be a Black Lesbian
Athlete or a Jewish reporter, I guess the Russians still have that Ex-Marine.
Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Aug 1 2024 13:43 utc | 4
No, plenty going and the marine is top of the list
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 1 2024 13:44 utc | 6
According to some reports, 24 people were exchanged (8 to RU - 16 to USA/West). From the first look, it doesn't look like a great exchange for RU but I don't really know the value of those people that they got. Perhaps some here, have a better idea.
Posted by: JamesBond | Aug 1 2024 13:48 utc | 7
Who's being swapped on the other side?
Posted by: Glasshopper | Aug 1 2024 13:28 utc | 1
Nothing official. CBS and Turkish TV channels say 24 or 26 in total, exchange took place in Ankara, Peskov does "not comment" ( tass.com/politics/1823987 ).
Posted by: rk | Aug 1 2024 13:50 utc | 8
We likely won’t find out who the empire has to exchange in order to get the WSJ spy back. Remember the first rule of Western media: they are satanic lying liars who lie, lie, lie.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Aug 1 2024 13:54 utc | 9
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 1 2024 13:44 utc | 6
Gershkovich 1 year
Whelan 5 years
Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Aug 1 2024 13:57 utc | 10
The Yankees should have been executed long ago. Once again, Russia capitulates
Posted by: Night Tripper | Aug 1 2024 13:59 utc | 11
According to some reports, 24 people were exchanged (8 to RU - 16 to USA/West). From the first look, it doesn't look like a great exchange for RU but I don't really know the value of those people that they got. Perhaps some here, have a better idea.
Posted by: JamesBond | Aug 1 2024 13:48 utc | 7
I would say it's them Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 1 2024 14:02 utc | 12
RU got exactly what they wanted eight FSB/KGB/GRU folks for an American Marine and the WSJ spy and some other......not a bad trade in NFL terms.......
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Aug 1 2024 14:19 utc | 13
Remember the first rule of Western media: they are satanic lying liars who lie, lie, lie.Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Aug 1 2024 13:54 utc | 9
I always assume all employees from Western media outlets are spies (or employed by one). By now, everyone know about the close relationship between media personnel and the intelligence community. If you want to be safe, assume everyone from the media industry to be one regardless of origin.
Posted by: Ian2 | Aug 1 2024 14:27 utc | 14
Well let's look to more arrests soon, this is a tactic that works. Any citizen of an unfriendly(I love that euphemism) country on russian territory, who let's face it will be spying, will get arrested and convicted.
Biden/Harris are idiots. And russia has a lot of airspace to snag people.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | Aug 1 2024 14:31 utc | 15
Intel Slava Z
0:27
🇷🇺
Intel Slava Z
🇷🇺🇺🇸The Insider names the alleged names of prisoners who were exchanged between the Russian Federation and the West in Ankara.
The Russian Federation handed over 16 people: oppositionists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, former chiefs of staff of Navalny Liliya Chanysheva and Ksenia Fadeeva, American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsou Kurmasheva, artist Sasha Skochilenko, Andrei Pivovarov, Vadim Ostanin, Kevin Leake, Paul Whelan, Oleg Orlov, Demuri Voronin, Patrick Schöbel and Herman Moizhes and Rico Krieger, who was previously pardoned in Belarus.
In exchange, the Russian Federation is being handed over eight people convicted in various Western countries: the Dultsev couple, who admitted to working for the Russian special services and were convicted in Slovenia, Vadim Krasikov, sentenced to life in Germany for the murder of the former Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, Pavel Rubtsov, who was imprisoned in Poland, Mikhail Mikushin, who posed as a Brazilian and was detained for espionage in Norway, as well as three men who served time in the United States - Roman Seleznev, Vladislav Klyushin and Vadim Konoshchenok.
Posted by: Mary | Aug 1 2024 14:32 utc | 16
countries spy... and they lie when they are caught... fairly predictable...
thanks b..
Posted by: james | Aug 1 2024 14:40 utc | 17
All western media employees are propagandists, but they aren't all spies.
It takes more work to be a spy.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Aug 1 2024 14:50 utc | 18
Who negotiates things like this swap? I thought there were “no diplomatic relations” between the US and Russia.
Posted by: Spivey | Aug 1 2024 14:51 utc | 19
Re: Gershkovich a spy?
Tucker Carlson says boldly, *We all know he’s not a spy.*
That he committed espionage, as Putin said, is apparently irrefutable; the question then, is one of motives.
WSJ wants insider information, and Russia is a goldmine for horse traders because they are
The worlds largest military producer - and growing.
It is probably a fair guess, that this kid was just doing business as business is done; ie, buying information.
That he broke laws is clear, but that he was directly an agent of intelligence is not clear, in fact unlikely;
Most likely he is exactly what he claims, an agent of global finance. That he became a horse to be traded
Rather than the other way round, is possibly the real story here, and much more interesting to consider.
Posted by: Nothingburgers | Aug 1 2024 14:53 utc | 20
If I recall, Vadim Krasikov was mentioned by Putin a couple of times. Supposedly he was going to be exchanged for Navalny, but Navalny's worth ran out and he died right before a NATO meeting his wife was attending.
I'm glad that Vadim is out now.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Aug 1 2024 14:53 utc | 21
Glasshopper | Aug 1 2024 13:28 utc | 1
Who's being swapped on the other side?
Biden has decided to give them Tulsi Gabbart so she can continue her love affair with Putin. They offered Trump but the Russians said nyet. They need him in the US so they can have their man in the White House. Half the country is saddened by the news. The other half is relieved.
Kamala is preparing a statement and some commericals now for her campaign.
Posted by: circumspect | Aug 1 2024 15:02 utc | 22
One should always assume British and US embassies are literally swimming with spies. A list released some years back of US CIA and MI6 agents indicated a lot of these agents are in fact employed at embassies, with various titles.
Posted by: unimperator | Aug 1 2024 15:03 utc | 23
The name Kara-Murza rang a DW bell. So I Googled it. He was interviewed on DW Conflict Zone early this year. All CZ interviews are available online.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Aug 1 2024 15:08 utc | 24
interesting wiki page on kara-murza
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kara-Murza
Posted by: james | Aug 1 2024 15:12 utc | 25
Has it happened already, or is it going to happen. The post is confusing.
Posted by: Anonymous | Aug 1 2024 15:16 utc | 26
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Aug 1 2024 14:19 utc | 13
#######
According to my back of the envelope analysis, this was a big win for Russia on the Rich Hill AND Jimmy Johnson trade charts.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 1 2024 15:22 utc | 27
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Aug 1 2024 14:19 utc | 13
#######
According to my back of the envelope analysis, this was a big win for Russia on the Rich Hill AND Jimmy Johnson trade charts.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 1 2024 15:22 utc | 28
@25,
Great, another scumbag RU liberal who will be shown as a hero by Western press and pumping propaganda 24/7 for some Western NGO. I hope that list of Russians who were exchanged today at least renounced their citizenship.
Posted by: JamesBond | Aug 1 2024 15:24 utc | 29
One should always assume British and US embassies are literally swimming with spies. A list released some years back of US CIA and MI6 agents indicated a lot of these agents are in fact employed at embassies, with various titles.
Posted by: unimperator | Aug 1 2024 15:03 utc | 23
Normally all "powers" have a couple of 3rd and 4th attachés for which the usual term is resident spy :D
Posted by: Newbie | Aug 1 2024 15:29 utc | 30
Ten released as part of the exchange in Ankara are sent to Russia, 13 to Germany and three to the USA.
Turkish channel NTV
Turkish newspaper speak of 10 vs 16 exchange. So it seems 2 more people were exchange with RU.
Posted by: JamesBond | Aug 1 2024 15:31 utc | 31
Kara-Murza is a regular contributor to both the Atlantic Council and the Council on Foreign Relations. He's never said anything interesting (Putin is a thug, the KGB was never fully dissolved, Russia people hate Neo-liberalism because they are a bunch of brainless serfs, etc..), I think he's a failed Russian liberal politician that was pushed out by Boris Nemnov in the early 2000s (he's claimed that Putin poisoned him, must have been Novack since he is still alive). With Navalny dead the US is probably hurting for believable figures for their future government in exile of Russia so they made a play to get this 4th stringer figure. Honestly, he's a non-existent political figure in Russia and marginal figure among the Russian liberals, but he's the biggest fish left to choose from. The US will have to start building some new Russian opposition figure to sell to the world, so they might want him to puff-up the new figures they'll start pushing out once the Ukraine war is over
Posted by: Kadath | Aug 1 2024 16:04 utc | 32
"In April 2018, United States Senator John McCain sent Kara-Murza a message revealing that McCain had been diagnosed with brain cancer and requesting that Kara-Murza, who had worked with McCain on issues relating to Russia since 2010, serve as a pallbearer at the senator's eventual funeral. Kara-Murza later said that he was "speechless", "heartbroken", and "close to tears", and that doing so would be "the most heartbreaking honor that anyone could think of". McCain died on 25 August; Kara-Murza joined fourteen others chosen by McCain himself, including then-former Vice President Joe Biden and actor Warren Beatty, as a pallbearer at McCain's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on 1 September. McCain's choice of Kara-Murza was described by Politico as a "final dig" at Putin, of whom McCain was a vocal critic, and at U.S. President Donald Trump, for his apparent closeness to the Russian president.[50][51]"
He also appears to a regular contributor of sucking American d***. Anyone who is a fanboy of that demented american senator, should be viewed with utter contempt.
Posted by: JamesBond | Aug 1 2024 16:11 utc | 33
Author and blogger Russ Baker (WhoWhatWhy) was appalled by MoA’s earlier reports which suggested Gersh appeared to be spying for the USG and the former attempted to doxx b, apparently without success beyond discovering his name, known to anyone who is a monetary contributor to this excellent blog.
Posted by: nwwoods | Aug 1 2024 16:12 utc | 34
Given past behavior, I expected to read about Nasrallah's important speech dealing with the next round of escalation in West Asia. Oh well, Al-Mayadeen reports on it here.
For total comedy value, Russ Baker's delirious and somewhat deranged attack on B. can be found here:
https://russbaker.substack.com/p/who-or-what-is-moon-of-alabama-and?triedRedirect=true
Long term JFK and para-political/deep state aficionados will know the name well. He had pretty much zero credibility decades ago & judging by this article, nothing has changed.
Posted by: FakeBelieve | Aug 1 2024 16:51 utc | 36
Note The WSJ spook was born in Russia. It’s very likely he still has Russian citizenship.
Posted by: Exile | Aug 1 2024 17:41 utc | 37
Posted by: FakeBelieve | Aug 1 2024 16:51 utc | 36
Rich. The guy can't even imagine there are other countries in the world than the US and Russia so b must be American.
He also can't imagine that working as a journalist is in fact an ideal cover for a spy. Much better than the covertness he thinks (or pretends to think) is mandatory.
Posted by: Avtonom | Aug 1 2024 17:57 utc | 38
I bet Vadim Krasikov was the sticking point. My opinion is, ff he is in the deal, Russia won. Yet I am not %100 sure what I have read of that. Do people not know the story? downstream of the Chechnya war. Krasikovs happen because the West 'poked the bear'. And now he is out.
Maybe having failed at so many 'color revolutions' in a row, the CIA expects to be sheltering fewer terrorists in the future. So the demonic agency finally relented. Something like that.
Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | Aug 1 2024 18:23 utc | 39
Deutschland ist eben ein Rechtsstaat. Da kann ein nach 14 Monaten Verhandlung zu lebenslanger Haft und anschließender Sicherungsverwahrung verurteilter Mörder nicht einfach nach drei Jahren freigelassen werden. Außer natürlich, wenn die Amerikaner das verlangen.
Vielleicht sollte die Bundesregierung einfach besser auf die Leute aufpassen, die Sie - auf amerikanischen Wunsch ? – mit dem Geld des Steuerzahlers in Deutschland unterbringt, obwohl sie in anderen Ländern als Kriegsverbrecher gelten. Dann lassen sich solch teuere Peinlichkeiten vermeiden.
Germany is a constitutional state. A murderer sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention after a 14-month trial cannot simply be released after three years. Unless, of course, the Americans demand it.
Maybe the federal government should simply pay more attention to the people it is using taxpayers' money to house in Germany at America's request, even though they are considered war criminals in other countries. Then such expensive embarrassments can be avoided. (google trans)
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Aug 1 2024 19:05 utc | 40
Posted by: FakeBelieve | Aug 1 2024 16:51 utc | 36
Hopefully Nancy doesn't read Russ Baker...
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Aug 1 2024 19:12 utc | 41
Putin missed his calling. He should have been GM for a sports team. He makes great player swaps, like the WNBA star for the Merchant of Death. Who is Vlad getting in trade for the Wall Street mockingbird? Hopefully a good miliary strategist, since his SMO is frozen solid.
Posted by: Napoleon | Aug 1 2024 19:23 utc | 42
I don't have time and again not sure of the complete truth but sure this was a painful deal for the Russians, too. About the German in Belarus. If I am not mistaken he shot at least one Russian POW and that's why he got the death penalty. Think how painful for the Russians that this utter scumbag mercenary is now free.
Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | Aug 1 2024 19:30 utc | 43
JustSomeOldGuy @43
Just because he has been released doesn’t mean the death penalty has been rescinded.
Posted by: William Gruff | Aug 1 2024 19:49 utc | 44
Undoubtedly an Imperialist and likely a Zionazi spy. He should have served his sentence. Nonetheless, Russia's management of the conflict has been impeccable for the last few years. I'm sure they know what they're doing.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Aug 1 2024 20:24 utc | 45
There is an interview still up on YT with convicted & sentenced to death bomber, the German Rico Krieger who outlines exactly how the fascist ukranian spy service, the SBU lured Krieger into an attempt to slaughter innocent civilians of Belarus.
Krieger was caught & sentenced to death until he ended up in the prisoner swap.
If he isn't just lying to play down his role in terrorism, he is a naive drongo exploited by the SBU for what? Just another pointless killing of civilians which ukraine has committed throughout the Russian Federation during the course of this conflict from Belgorod to Moscow, an action with zero strategic outcome. Springing Krieger who has consistently claimed he has been ignored by Germany's government was probably key to springing the Russian Vadim Krasikov from jail in Germany, which has long been a key demand by Russia for a swap involving amerikan intelligence agent Evan Gershkovich.
The thing I loathe the mosty is that the west continually presents their captured agents as innocents abroad who weren't in trouble because they were caught committing espionage, the confession of Krieger belies that nonsense and anyone who maintains Gerhkovich's innocence needs to be confronted by that reality.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 1 2024 20:26 utc | 46
The prior swap, the WNBA tranny for the "merchant of death" was what the Russians would call "something for nothing"..in fact, the Russians were no doubt glad to get rid of the WNBA player, and got a valuable asset in return...This one is probably a little better for the US, but the WSJ stringer was and is obviously an idiot who got caught on camera asking verboten questions to a defense worker--probably a setup...
Posted by: pyrrhus | Aug 1 2024 20:52 utc | 47
But I'm glad that the marine Whelan got out, after being set up and then ignored by his own Government...
Posted by: pyrrhus | Aug 1 2024 20:54 utc | 48
Don’t know what to make of this.
Is it the end of the War?
Or the last niceties before the Big One?
Anyone???
Posted by: DunGroanin | Aug 1 2024 20:59 utc | 49
What's more worrying for the Russian government - is finding out who is the source that was willing to give Gershkovich the information. They'll always be spies looking for information - the real problem is identifying those who are willing to give out the vital info.
Swapping prisoners is the best way forward for all parties concerned - it costs a fortune to keep one of those spies locked up for years - better to offload them and get people back in return - you can then dig deep and find out if the returning prisoners told their captures anything of interest.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Aug 1 2024 21:00 utc | 50
This swap today is looking like a tangible concession by the West. In fact Russia and US are now practically friends - for the minute.
- Repeated as essential criteria for successful negotiations are deeds exactly such as this swap, and not empty promises only, and in that regard this swap might be the sign of a bigger deal behind the scenes.
And if that is the case, we might wonder what is up next, will the Ukraine get dumped on its rear like Afghan.
Is the US about to walk away and dump Ukraine for a new ME theater maybe?
Posted by: Nothingburgers | Aug 1 2024 21:10 utc | 51
Debsisdead | Aug 1 2024 20:26 utc | 46
Just a matter of looking at Australia's 'aid' to East Timor with the bugged cabinet offices.
Australian 'aid' to Cambodia was a naval headquarters building. The Cambodians bulldozed it to screams of outrage from all of anglostan.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 1 2024 21:16 utc | 52
@ Posted by: karlof1 | Aug 1 2024 16:33 utc | 35
Thanks as usual Karl.
We are about to enter a world of woe.
I trust the Resistance to strike the Masters not us minions.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Aug 1 2024 21:16 utc | 53
Kremlin has issued photo and video footage of Putin greeting those returning as they deplaned at Vnukovo Airport. This is what Putin had to say at the very brief ceremony inside the airport:
"First I would like to congratulate all of you on your return to your homeland. Now I want to apply To those of you who are directly related to military service. I want to thank you for your loyalty to the oath, your duty and the Motherland, which did not forget about you for a minute – and now you are home.
"All of you will be nominated for state awards. We will see each other again and talk about your future. And now I just want you To congratulate him on his return home.
"Thank you very much. Congratulations!"
The video is just over 3-minutes, and IMO is worth watching. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin and Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov. I don't recall Putin doing this for any previous exchanges. The Kremlin also issued a short note about the Pardon's Putin needed to make for the release of those exchanged.
DunGroanin | Aug 1 2024 21:16 utc | 53--
Thanks for your reply. I note Lavrov talked with his opposite in Tehran with the MFA issuing this PR:
On August 1, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ahmed Bagheri-Kani at the initiative of the Iranian side.The parties condemned the assassination of the head of the Hamas Politburo in Tehran during his stay at the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President M. Pezeshkian. They pointed out the unacceptability of political assassinations and the extremely dangerous consequences of such actions, which are fraught with a sharp escalation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and a landslide degradation of the regional situation. The organisers of such provocations clearly hope to disrupt the already stalled negotiation process and are betting on involving the United States in military operations in order to forget the UN resolutions on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Sergey Lavrov called on all parties without exception influencing the situation in the Gaza Strip and in the Middle East as a whole to prevent actions that could lead to further destabilisation of the situation and entail new civilian casualties.
Well, new civilian casualties will occur because that's who the Zionists are waging war against.
Let's say Russia were to send some 'journalists' to Amarillo to interview workers at the Pantex plant.
Oh yeah, I'm sure that would fly.
Posted by: ian | Aug 1 2024 22:26 utc | 56
It was obvious from the moment Gershkovich was picked up that he was an amerikan intelligence agent. This so-called 'stringer' raised a fuss from the amerikan government immediately, whereas the WSJ was much more reticent.
Stringers have long been used by the west as cover for operatives eg Kim Philby MI6 double agent was employed as a stringer by the englander observer in Beruit after his cover was blown in the englander parliament. They get out into the local community, hang out with real journos at boozy 'press clubs', not only learning of stories about to break and planting disinformation but also can interrogate locals over sensitive issues on the grounds of legitimate media interest.
We know that literally thousands of amerikan reporters are defacto intelligence agents for the amerikan government. Those with still functioning memories may remeber this was one of the big initial outcomes from the Church Committee inquiry into intelligence services, a series of reports all amerikans need to read because as the sole full look at amerikan intelligence, even today it's conclusions serve as one of the few bits of evidence into the duplicity of the primary arm of the amerikan deep state. Here is their final report issued in 1976
Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 1 2024 22:41 utc | 57
karlof1 | Aug 1 2024 21:23 utc | 54
No Vietnam syndrome in Russia.
I remember Putin one time mentioning deep agents. Those that had been deeply embedded since soviet times and were loyal to Russia. Those people Putin held in highest regard as they gave their entire lives for their country.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 1 2024 22:53 utc | 58
Republic of Scotland @ 50:
... What's more worrying for the Russian government - is finding out who is the source that was willing to give Gershkovich the information. They'll always be spies looking for information - the real problem is identifying those who are willing to give out the vital info ...
Possibly after observing Evan Gershkovich's behaviour for some time, and researching his history, the authorities and factory managers in Ekaterinburg knew enough about him to spring a trap and Gershkovich walked straight into it.
It would probably not have taken a great deal to coach some of the people who had already been approached by Gershkovich to feed him "answers" and to wear recording equipment beneath their jackets or in their pockets.
Gershkovich probably thought he hit the jackpot when one of his "sources" started talking freely - what he didn't know perhaps was the "source" was feeding him garbage. I'm sure the Russians will be eager to see what Gershkovich writes in his next article or column for the WSJ.
Posted by: Refinnejenna | Aug 1 2024 23:19 utc | 59
"Germany is a constitutional state."
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Aug 1 2024 19:05 utc | 40
Germany is not a constitutional state, but is governed by basic law of occupation. The USA never signed a peace treaty with Germany after WWII.
Posted by: jpb | Aug 1 2024 23:47 utc | 60
Posted by: jpb | Aug 1 2024 23:47 utc | 60
##############
So many cling to the innocent notion that laws mean anything to those in power.
It's cute.
I really enjoy it when conservative Americans start ranting and raving about the US Constitution. It's a comedic spin on lunacy.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 1 2024 23:53 utc | 61
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany
The German word Grundgesetz may be translated as either Basic Law or Fundamental Law. The term "constitution" (Verfassung) was avoided as the drafters regarded the Grundgesetz as an interim arrangement for a provisional West German state, expecting that an eventual reunified Germany would adopt a proper constitution, enacted under the provisions of Article 146 of the Basic Law, which stipulates that such a constitution must be "freely adopted by the German people". Nevertheless, although the amended Basic Law was approved by all four Allied Powers in 1990 (who thereby relinquished their reserved constitutional rights), it was never submitted to a popular vote, neither in 1949 nor in 1990.
Posted by: jpb | Aug 1 2024 23:55 utc | 62
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 1 2024 23:53 utc | 61
It seems you are the one tilting at windmills.
Are you the resident troll?
Posted by: jpb | Aug 2 2024 0:00 utc | 63
I don't need to talk to Putin
Says the deluded old war criminal, before spitting out his dummy. The humiliation is only beginning and fuck me if it isn't delicious to watch these pompous shitheels eat crow.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Aug 2 2024 0:05 utc | 64
Exile | Aug 1 2024 17:41 utc | 37
WSJ spook [Gershkovich] was born in Russia
FALSE
>…Born, October 26, 1991, Princeton, New Jersey.
Why don’t you fucks check anything before you post.
FFS.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Aug 2 2024 0:16 utc | 65
The Aussie Cossack telegram has vid and details of the swap.
Also off-his-meds-vedov take on it all. (Always to be savoured)
https://t.me/s/AussieCossack
Posted by: Melaleuca | Aug 2 2024 0:29 utc | 66
Evan is the worst spy in American history, and there is no doubt that he was a spy.........
This WSJ deep state stooge boy travels to the south of Russia to visit RF main manufacturing plants for AA systems and T14 and T90 tanks.
He asks questions about production levels, staffing and logistics during war time no less....and expects he will NOT be arrested.........
Only in the arrogant world of the neo cons deep staters could this cluster occur.......OM gosh
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Aug 2 2024 0:39 utc | 67
who
https://www.rt.com/russia/602020-russia-us-prisoner-swap-names/
Posted by: jo6pac | Aug 2 2024 0:41 utc | 68
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Aug 1 2024 23:53 utc | 61
It seems you are the one tilting at windmills.
Are you the resident troll?
Posted by: jpb | Aug 2 2024 0:00 utc | 63
Not at all, jpb. He's an honorable regular. Well beloved.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Aug 2 2024 0:47 utc | 69
Posts from
https://t.me/s/AussieCossack
§| Vladimir Putin has signed decrees pardoning everyone who was released today as part of the exchange deal.
Putin pardoned Paul Whelan, Kevin Leake, Evan Gershkovich, Demuri Voronin, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alsa Kurmasheva, Liliya Chanysheva, Vadim Ostanin, Ksenia Fadeeva, Alexandra Skochilenko, Ilya Yashin, Andrei Pivovarov and Oleg Petrov.
The President of Belarus previously pardoned Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death. He was also released and sent to Germany.
~~~
Released from Russia
▫️Evan Gershkovich,
▫️Vladimir Kara-Murza (foreign agent),
▫️ Lilia Chanysheva,
▫️ Ilya Yashin (foreign agent),
▫️Ksenia Fadeeva,
▫️Andrey Pivovarov,
▫️Paul Whelan,
▫️Alsu Kurmasheva,
▫️Oleg Orlov (foreign agent),
▫️Sasha Skochilenko,
▫️ Dieter Voronin,
▫️Kevin Leak,
▫️Rick Krieger,
▫️Patrick Schoebel,
▫️Herman Moizhes,
▫️Vadim Ostanin.
Returned to Russia
▫️Vadim Krasikov (from Germany),
▫️Artem Dultsev (from Slovenia),
▫️Anna Dultseva (from Slovenia),
▫️Mikhail Mikushin (from Norway),
▫️Pavel Rubtsov (from Poland),
▫️Roman Seleznev (from USA),
▫️Vladislav Klyushin (from USA),
▫️Vadim Konoshchenok (from the USA).
~……~
Turkish intelligence became an intermediary in the large exchange of 26 prisoners from 7 countries.
The prisoner exchange was broadcast live on the Turkish television channel NTV, noting that two planes from Russia arrived in Ankara for it.
~~~~
There are still dozens of Russians in American prisons, and Moscow will continue to work on their release.
This was stated by the press service of the Russian Embassy in Washington .
"There are still dozens of Russians in American prisons who look to their Fatherland with hope and await their hour of liberation.
There is no more important task for us than the well-being of our compatriots who have ended up in American prisons as a result of the "hunt" for them by American intelligence agencies around the world," the statement says.
The embassy also stressed that they would make “maximum efforts to continue the release” of their compatriots.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Aug 2 2024 0:56 utc | 70
Posted by: Melaleuca | Aug 2 2024 0:56 utc | 70
Looks like Putin kicked out a bunch of Russian dissidents (along with the Westerns). Do any of the Russians have other than Russian citizenship?
Posted by: Ed4 | Aug 2 2024 2:12 utc | 71
Caitlan J. from Down Under makes a good point here about the wall street urinal reporter and others being released today
https://x.com/caitoz/status/1818989092304273409
Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz
If Gonzalo Lira had been abducted by Russia while writing against Moscow instead of by Ukraine while writing against Kyiv, he'd still be alive and would probably be walking free today.
Posted by: michaelj72 | Aug 2 2024 2:14 utc | 72
I guess everyone knows the Paul Whelan creep had 4 passports!
amerikan, irish, dutch & canadian, he prolly worked for all 4 nations intelligence spooks but his amerikan agency gig trumped all the others. Imagine the whack he woulda copped for the years Russia slotted him up. Trouble is he won't be allowed to retire heh heh, he'll be stuck in brsin damage corner at langley for the remainder of his now over, career - heheheheh
The fact amerika had to put the hard word on several euro states to get sufficient Russian spooks for a swap is an indication of exactly how ineffective counter espionage is in amerika.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 2 2024 3:01 utc | 73
Musing.
Negotiations for these swaps extend across years (and in the case of Victor Bout, decades), so the question that tickles, why now?
The chess pieces don’t move in isolation.
The Empire wanted something Very Big from Russia.
What?
Conjecture:
Was it: The Russians are advancing and there’s reports of them blowing up nests of U$NATO. What if they managed to capture a Man Who Wasn’t There? Someone of rank and stature they absolutely need returned ?
A large magician’s “look over here” exchange provides cover for a single Dark exchange beyond the spotlight. ?
Was it: / Turkiye extradited someone involved in a terrorist attack in Russia. This was relatively recently (last 2ish months). Almost all such terrorism has sponsors. Did Russia/Turkiye shut down one of the cells/networks responsible?
Was it: With Biden fading fast, did his Circle of Demons (Blinken, Snake Sullivan) see their window closing, and decide to get their boy, Gershkovich out now. Gershkovich had just been sentenced to 16 years. Maybe they think Trump will be 47, and they don’t want any scraps for him to bargain with later?
Posted by: Melaleuca | Aug 2 2024 4:12 utc | 74
[[[ Why won't the Wall Street Journal even make a cursory effort to refute the Russian charges? What was he doing there, meeting with Russian sources asking technical questions about Russian tank production? ]]]
B. seems blinded by partisanship as well as appearing quite ignorant. And he confuses the topics. If Gershkovich tried to confidentially and illicitly obtain informations on armaments, that is espionage, but if he did a public interview asking for informations on the same armaments, that is not espionage, it is journalism, and the interlocutor only responds to what he is authorized to say.
Posted by: Cumino | Aug 2 2024 8:17 utc | 76
Love it when the energetic potus and VVP end up at the footsteps of the planes to meet and greet …. That is some theatre going down. With Kamala lurking around and sneaking into the presser as she gets bored.
The prize goes to the Oval Office speaker phone chat with the families present is amazing as the kids and adults speak …checks notes … Russian with the released before breaking into perfect Yankee. Joe looked confused by that for a minute.
Still don’t have clue as to what exactly is going on - am interested in the speculation about cover for a unannounced set of pow type exchange but not directly related to Ukraine?
Or is it the real deal? Is Biden trying to stop the conflict before Trump does? Before the RF marches into Kiev? Knowing that it is lost and the recent escalation of natzos being dismantled at the accelerating rate has destroyed the command and control officers?
Is it to stop RF being part of the Resistance response? Given that Iran is full SCO now they are under the umbrella of China and RF …
Posted by: DunGroanin | Aug 2 2024 10:33 utc | 77
"It is probably a fair guess, that this kid"
Nothingburgers | Aug 1 2024 14:53 utc | 20
30s is a bit old to be called a kid.
Posted by: Rhymerez | Aug 2 2024 11:29 utc | 78
@Cumino 76
He was not sentenced for a public interview. Besides, a public interview does not justify illicit activities either. Trying to "interview" workers about the production of defense industry's output, employment, shift organization etc. is not journalism, but is considered espionage in every country, even outside wartime. And there was other disclosed evidence collected by him.
One may or may not be inclined to believe that Gershkovich was not on the payroll of one of the 17+ US services, we will not know for sure for a couple of decades. But that the activities fulfilled the evidence of military espionage is hard to deny.
Posted by: aquadraht | Aug 2 2024 11:54 utc | 79
It was obvious from the moment Gershkovich was picked up that he was an amerikan intelligence agent. This so-called 'stringer' raised a fuss from the amerikan government immediately, whereas the WSJ was much more reticent.
______
Not quite true, Debsisdead. The paper WSJ ran full-page ads demanding Gershovich’s release on an almost daily basis, usually placing them on the highly visible last page of the first section.
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 2 2024 12:08 utc | 80
Once again Russia has shown the world that D.C. controls so-called independent democracies.
Russians are charged, convicted and released via U.S. command.
Posted by: kupkee | Aug 2 2024 13:49 utc | 81
Posted by: wagelaborer | Aug 1 2024 14:53 utc | 21
Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | Aug 1 2024 18:23 utc | 39
Posted by: DunGroanin | Aug 1 2024 20:59 utc | 49
Last niceties before drawbridges get pulled, I’d say, and a rare demonstration that some method still lingers behind the increasingly apparent madness.
With Krasikov, I wonder if it was part of the plan for him to be caught and sit it out in Germany, giving local authorities a little satisfaction and face saving, rather than escape back to Russia and his requested deportation then be an ongoing bone of contention.
The following is from WJS but posted via IntelSlava, who would object if they knew it to be false.
🇷🇺Putin’s main condition for exchanging prisoners with the West was the extradition of Vadim Krasikov, writes The Wall Street Journal.Krasikov shot and killed former Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in Berlin in 2019 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Before the murder, he regularly visited FSB training bases and was well acquainted with Putin. They "were so close that they visited the shooting range together." He once told his family that Putin was a "good shooter."
According to WSJ, since 2021, Putin has constantly called on the intelligence services to do everything possible to free Krasikov, which surprised even Western intelligence officers. They assumed that Krasikov was Putin's personal bodyguard. The publication's sources in the Russian Federation suggested that the two met in St. Petersburg, when Putin worked at the mayor's office.
In Russia, Krasikov led a fairly luxurious life. He received about $10,000 a month and bonuses for what he told his family were “business trips,” wore designer clothes and had his nails done regularly. His family lived in a prestigious area of Moscow, and his wife complained to relatives that her husband changed Porsches and BMWs so often that she did not have time to get used to them.
After his arrest in Germany, he introduced himself with a fictitious name and never gave his real name. He refused to make any contact with the investigation and once told a guard: “The Russian Federation will not leave me to rot in prison.”
🇷🇺Vadim Krasikov, released from life sentence in Germany.
Posted by: anon2020 | Aug 2 2024 13:58 utc | 82
@anon2020 | Aug 2 2024 13:58 utc | 82
Intelslava, like others (e.g. Roshin) frequently cite western media without telling their readers how to think. Such is rather western MM attitude.
Posted by: aquadraht | Aug 2 2024 14:40 utc | 83
🇷🇺The Kremlin confirmed that Russian Vadim Krasikov, released on exchange, is an FSB officer and served in the Alpha special unit, including with several members of Putin’s personal security.Actually, it is no coincidence that there were such difficulties with the exchange of Krasikov. But he was eventually pulled out.
Posted by: anon2020 | Aug 2 2024 14:41 utc | 84
Novelist Frederick Forsyth has confessed that he was an informant for MI6 while he was working as an ostensible freelance journalist during the Nigerian Civil War.
Anybody who has read "The Day of the Jackal" has to suspect he was already in MI6 during his earlier stint as a correspondent on French affairs for the BBC in Paris.
Posted by: Lysias | Aug 2 2024 14:57 utc | 85
re: anon2020, post #82 making it seem like it was Krasikov who was the really bad guy. Got his nails done, wow. Maybe the guy he shot did worse than that
Awhile ago the Russians gave their reasons. According to Telegram channel Geopolitics Live
Khangoshvili was a commander of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria – a militant group in Russia's south – which fought against the country's government in the Second Chechen War. He committed numerous war crimes. According to Russian authorities, Khangoshvili was involved in organizing the attack on a school in Beslan in 2004 which resulted in the deaths of 334 people, including 186 children, as well as deadly explosions in the Moscow metro. Considered a terrorist by the FSB, Khangoshvili fled Russia after the Chechen war and moved to Germany, living under a fake identity.
I don't know if Russia had earlier asked Germany for an extradition but if Khangoshvili was living under a fake name that would have been out, right? Also, since he had a Georgian passport why was he in Germany at all? What was his legal status?
To me it is very likely the spin in the West is false, that what the Russians say about the man killed is true (at least generally), that he was a terrorist. That would explain it all.
Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | Aug 2 2024 18:44 utc | 86
Re: Oliver Krug | Aug 1 2024 19:05 utc | 40 Germany is a constitutional state.
No it's not! Germany is a US vassal and doesn't have any kind of constitution since since it was conquered in 1945.
Posted by: DiggerDan | Aug 2 2024 18:52 utc | 87
May i ask the bar for its opinion on the “Tiergarten Murder” story?
I am looking for material on the “victim” Khangoshvili who seemed a like a key figur in its trade. From Grozny, Beslan, Al Qaida, Georgia to Ukraine he was involved, which of course gives plenty of reasons for his assination. Yet the assination itself seemed totaly murky.
That somebody like him got asylum in Germany was quite a surprise for me at its time.
“Hartz4 jetzt auch fuer Taliban?” one might ask.
Posted by: El.Lissitzky | Aug 2 2024 22:17 utc | 88
@Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 1 2024 20:26 utc | 46
“The thing I loathe the mosty is that the west continually presents their captured agents as innocents abroad who weren't in trouble because they were caught committing espionage, the confession of Krieger belies that nonsense and anyone who maintains Gerhkovich's innocence needs to be confronted by that reality.”
Litrally every headline today in Germany was a combination of
“Murderer exchanged for journalists.”
/
“The deal with the devil is wrong but it saved lifes.”
The german mercenarys confession is non existent in such a reality because:
a) there are no german mercenarys
b) the confession was forced
This german “man without qualities” got a death penalty in Belarus and “Uncle Batka” is a fashist dictator.
As simple as that.
Posted by: El.Lissitzky | Aug 2 2024 23:02 utc | 89
Hmm musta been zonked and in a hurry last night. The link for Rico Krieger's confession is still up on YT which I have just discovered is still up on YT, so if you click it this time you will see the confession and comprehend the sociopathic horror of ukieland's SBU.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 2 2024 23:48 utc | 90
re posted by: malenkov | Aug 2 2024 12:08 utc | 80
Yep they did but that was after the amerikan government made it a big issue, prior to that they were schtum, prolly had no idea even of who Evan Gershkovich was.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Aug 2 2024 23:52 utc | 91
Let us hope Gerschkovich writes an interesting memoir and admits to being a spy.
Posted by: lester | Aug 3 2024 0:18 utc | 92
@ lester | Aug 3 2024 0:18 utc | 92
More likely he’ll pen a whineathon about what a poor innocent victim he was, and be hailed as the Second Coming of Solzhenitsyn. And rather quickly forgotten after that.
Posted by: malenkov | Aug 3 2024 1:32 utc | 93
That somebody like him got asylum in Germany was quite a surprise for me at its time.
Posted by: El.Lissitzky | Aug 2 2024 22:17 utc | 88
Freedumb fighters. Look up pics of Bin Laden in the Whitehouse with Reagan. The 'Boston bombers' also were freedumb fighters or at least the elder brother was. There will be many many more.
Bin Laden was more than likely just an expendable scapegoat rather than the perp but still check out those pics and the media headlines of the day.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 3 2024 1:43 utc | 94
@Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 3 2024 1:43 utc | 94
My surprise about the guys asylum in Germany was mainly because i lived walking distance from the murder scene. Picture of OBL with Raegen is just that, a image somewhat abstract.
But this assasination happened very close and on a spot i know in and out. Shoting someone in a puplic park is one thing but this spot is super close to the German parliment, US-embassy, Maintrain station. Not a good place for such a deed espacialy not in broad daylight. Except you are stupid, in hurry or want to make a statement.
As i sayed, this assasination story is very murky.
RU assasinating someone like this and on the height of Nortstream2 tensions with the US doese not make sense. If this was a setup thana very complex one.
Posted by: El.Lissitzky | Aug 3 2024 9:42 utc | 95
Thanks Anon2020 that explains a lot.
So it was VVP’s ‘personal James Bond’ tasked with a licence to kill the mastermind trying to inflame the Chechen /RF split ! A worthy exchange then!
Posted by: DunGroanin | Aug 3 2024 12:06 utc | 96
The comments to this entry are closed.
Who's being swapped on the other side?
Posted by: Glasshopper | Aug 1 2024 13:28 utc | 1