Plane carrying Gershkovich, other freed prisoners, touches down in MarylandThe plane carrying prisoners freed from Russia in return for the release of Russian detainees, in the largest such exchange in decades, has touched down at Joint Airbase Andrews.Sixteen people were freed from Russian custody, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Several other foreign citizens held in Russia and numerous political prisoners were also freed.The exchange took place at Ankara airport on Thursday in a complicated operation in which planes arrived from and departed to multiple countries.Among those freed by Russia are Gershkovich, the former US marine Paul Whelan and the journalist and joint US-Russian citizen Alsu Kurmasheva. Shortly after their release the US government put out the first picture of the three holding the stars and stripes.ShareUpdated at 06.26 CESTKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureHere are some pictures from that emotional arrival:President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greet reporter Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Air Force Base, following his release. Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/APUS President Joe Biden speaks to the media as Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, who were released from detention in Russia, stand with their family, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, 1 August 2024. Photograph: Nathan Howard/ReutersEx-US Marine Paul Whelan, who was released from detention in Russia, is greeted by his sister, Elizabeth Whelan, upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, 1 August 2024. Photograph: Nathan Howard/ReutersAlsu Kurmasheva, who was released from detention in Russia, is greeted by her daughters Bibi and Miriam Butorin, and her husband Pavel Butorin after disembarking from a plane at Joint Base Andrews. Photograph: Kevin Mohatt/ReutersShareBiden gave Paul Whelan the American flag pin from his lapelFrom the Associated Press: On a warm, steamy night, the freed Americans lingered on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews to soak up the moment of their return to the USThey took selfies with family members and friends, shared hugs with Biden and Harris, patted loved ones on the back and smothered them with kisses.At one point, Biden gave Paul Whelan the flag pin off his own lapel.ShareUpdated at 06.23 CESTThe motorcade is now leaving the airbase.ShareThe Wall Street Journal’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, called it a “joyous day”.“While we waited for this momentous day, we were determined to be as loud as we could be on Evan’s behalf. We are so grateful for all the voices that were raised when his was silent. We can finally say, in unison, ‘Welcome home, Evan,’” she wrote in a letter posted online.US journalist Evan Gershkovic, who was released from detention in Russia, embraces his mother Ella Milman, as Ex-US Marine Paul Whelan and his sister, Elizabeth Whelan, look on, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Photograph: Nathan Howard/ReutersShareUpdated at 06.29 CESTJoe Biden said it “feels wonderful” to welcome the freed Americans to US soil.He gave special credit to countries including Germany and Slovenia for helping to make the global prisoner swap work, saying they agreed to difficult things that were “against their self-interests”.Speaking on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, Biden rejected the idea that such swaps could lead to other Americans being detained. “I don’t buy this idea of … let these people rot in jail because other people may be captured.”Kamala Harris called the deal an “extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy”.ShareUpdated at 06.22 CESTFrom the New York Times’ Katie Rogers: Evan Gershkovich is the last of the released prisoners to go to the motorcade. He declines to answer more questions. “Family time,” he says.ShareUpdated at 06.22 CESTHere is more of what Harris had to say:Vice President Harris: This is an extraordinary day and I’m very thankful for our president. This is an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy and strengthening alliances. This is an incredible day and you can see it… pic.twitter.com/wqiqylGsXn— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 2, 2024

ShareHarris says: “It’s a very good night.”ShareUpdated at 06.22 CESTBiden told the released Americans “Welcome home” he says on MSNBC.“My father used to say family is the beginning the middle and the end, it’s about who we are as a country”. To Putin he has this to say: “Stop.”“To me this is about the essence of who we are as a country,” Biden said.Then he made a joke about being president for another 90 days. “You’re stuck with me kid.”ShareUpdated at 06.25 CESTInterviewed on MSNBC, Harris is careful to keep the spotlight on Biden:VP Harris: “I’m very thankful for our president … this is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy.” pic.twitter.com/nmCpRjiY4X— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2024

ShareGershkovich and Wall Street Journal editor in chief, Emma Tucker, are hugging now.ShareThere are shouts of “The Journal is over here, the Journal is over here” and he walks over. Hugs all round – and then he takes a phone call. Weird day at work.ShareUpdated at 06.01 CESTGershkovich gives one of his colleagues a big hug – and is then interviewed.ShareThe three freed Americans are standing around, chatting to family now. Alsu Kurmasheva’s family takes a selfie. The journalists are calling Gershkovich over.ShareUpdated at 06.02 CESTNext up is Alsu Kurmasheva, who greets Biden and Harris, then runs to her children, taking them into her arms.ShareGershkovich now walks up to his mother and hugs and kisses her, lifting her off the ground.ShareUpdated at 06.11 CESTNext up is Evan Gershkovich, who puts his arm around Biden. The press pool cheers and whoops.Share