Factbox: Potential Candidates for a Russia-US Prisoner Swap

Putin Suggests Possible Prisoner Swap for Detained Journalist

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the potential for a deal that could secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is currently held in Moscow on spying charges, in exchange for a Russian prisoner detained abroad.

The U.S. government is also advocating for the release of another American citizen, Paul Whelan. On Tuesday, the Kremlin refrained from commenting on the possibility of a prisoner exchange, stating that any negotiations would need to occur "in silence."

Overview of Detained Americans in Russia

Evan Gershkovich
Gershkovich, an American journalist accredited by the Russian government, was arrested in March 2023 in Yekaterinburg and is accused of attempting to obtain defense secrets. Both Gershkovich and the Wall Street Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has classified his detention as wrongful. He has been incarcerated in Lefortovo prison in Moscow since his arrest, with no trial date set yet for his espionage case.

Paul Whelan
Whelan, a former U.S. Marine holding multiple citizenships (U.S., British, Irish, and Canadian), was arrested in Russia in 2018 and convicted of espionage in 2020, receiving a 16-year prison sentence, which he contests. During his arrest, Whelan was serving as the head of global security for a Michigan vehicle parts supplier. He was not included in a 2022 U.S.-Russia prisoner swap that involved basketball player Brittney Griner, despite speculation regarding his potential involvement. Like Gershkovich, Whelan is described by the State Department as wrongfully detained.

Alsu Kurmasheva
Kurmasheva, a Prague-based reporter for a U.S. Congress-funded media outlet, was arrested in Kazan, Russia, in October after visiting her mother. Initially charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, she now faces additional charges related to spreading false information about the Russian military. Her husband has requested that the U.S. designate her detention as wrongful.

Russian Prisoners of Interest for Potential Exchange

Vadim Krasikov
Krasikov is currently serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of an exiled dissident. In a recent interview, Putin suggested Krasikov could be the Russian individual considered for a swap involving Gershkovich, calling him a patriotic figure carrying out an order. Germany has not publicly speculated about any potential exchange.

Vladimir Dunaev
Dunaev, a Russian national, is imprisoned in the U.S. on cybercrime charges related to a notorious malware operation known as "Trickbot." He pleaded guilty to multiple fraud-related charges and is awaiting sentencing, which could result in a lengthy prison term.

Roman Seleznev
The son of a Russian lawmaker, Seleznev was sentenced in 2017 to serve 27 years in prison for a major cybercrime that caused significant financial losses to U.S. businesses. He also received additional sentences for related crimes. Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. has expressed concerns about his prison conditions.

As discussions about potential exchanges continue, the fates of these individuals remain a point of contention between the U.S. and Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.