'It's Your Mom': Tears And Hugs As US Families Reunite With Prisoners Freed In Major Russia Swap | WATCH

Families of US prisoners, including a Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who were freed by Russia in the largest swap since the Cold War, had an emotional reunion with their loved ones on Thursday.

“This is momma. Do you hear me? It’s your mom,” Gershkovich’s mother tells her son in the emotional video, of the virtual reunion, posted by US President Joe Biden’s social media account on X. “We just want to say how overwhelmed we are,” Biden tells the released detainees as the families stand around the presidential Resolute Desk.

“You’ve been wrongfully detained for a long time, and we are glad you are home,” he adds. Russia freed Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan and others on Thursday as part of the elaborate multi-country exchange that the White House said involved 24 prisoners, including Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany.

‘No word is strong enough’

“Every parent, child, spouse and loved one who joined me in the Oval Office today has been praying for this day for a long time,” Biden posted about the deal, which was negotiated in secrecy. In the video, Biden tells family members the detainees have been released and are heading to board the plane that will take them from Russia to the United States. “No word is strong enough for this. I was sure I was going to die in prison,” Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza tells his family as they weep. “I still think I am sleeping in my prison cell in Omsk instead of hearing your voice.”

Grand Russian Welcome

Meanwhile in Russia, President Vladimir Putin met the prisoners returning to Russia at the airport after they landed in Moscow. Putin arrived at Vnukovo-2 airport to personally greet Russians recently released from detention in Western countries. Putin waited by the plane’s boarding stairs, where the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron aircraft was parked, and the released Russians were welcomed with a red carpet and around 40 ceremonial guards from the Presidential Regiment.

After several minutes of waiting while the plane’s crew completed post-flight procedures, Putin greeted each individual with a handshake or a hug as they disembarked. Anna Dultseva, who was moved to tears as she exited the plane, received a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek from Putin. He also presented her and her daughter with bouquets of roses and hydrangeas. In the terminal, Putin delivered a brief speech, expressing gratitude for their loyalty.

In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Washington said the Russian diplomats will do their best to secure the release of dozens of Russians who remain jailed in the US. “Dozens of Russians still remain behind bars in the United States, looking at their fatherland with hope and waiting to be released,” the embassy said in a statement, according to TASS. “We will pay maximum effort in order to secure the release or improve the plight of our citizens, caught in the wheels of local justice.”

(With agency inputs)