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.
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.
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Burkina Faso's misinformation war
Under The Radar The president of the West African country has quickly become the face of a viral, AI-powered propaganda campaign
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines