Russia releases former Marine Trevor Reed in surprise prisoner swap with U.S.


Former Marine and American citizen Trevor Reed has been released from Russian custody in a surprise prisoner swap between Russia and the U.S., The Associated Press reports Wednesday morning.
Russia traded Reed, who was arrested in the summer of 2019, for Konstantin Yaroshensko, a "convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America," AP writes. The deal arrived "as a result of a long negotiation process," said Mariza Sakharova, a spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, per NBC News.
"Today, our prayers have been answered and Trevor is safely on his way back to the United States," Reed's family said. Reed will "tell his own story" when he is ready, they added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Following his arrest in 2019, Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison for allegedly assaulting a Russian officer after a night of drinking. Reed's family "maintained his innocence and the U.S. government described him as unjustly detained and expressed concern about his declining health," AP writes.
President Biden said in a statement he was "delighted" to share the news of Reed's freedom with his family.
"The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly," Biden said. "We won't stop until Paul Whelan and others join Trevor in the loving arms of family and friends."
Despite Reed's release, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, as well as WNBA star Britney Griner remain in Russian custody.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Arms for Ukraine and an ultimatum for Russia
Feature Donald Trump reverses course, sending weapons to Ukraine and threatening Russia with tariffs
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands