Eight Russians who were behind bars in NATO states return to Russia as result of exchange - Russian Federal Security Service

MOSCOW. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Eight Russians who were behind bars in some NATO states have returned to Russia as a result of an exchange, a Russian special service said.

"Eight citizens of Russia, who had been detained and were held behind bars in some NATO states, as well as underage children, have been returned home as a result of an exchange held at the airport of Ankara (Turkey) on August 1, 2024," the public relations center of the Russian Federal Security Service said.

"Their return became possible as a result of systematic and steadfast work of the relevant Russian state agencies, as well as foreign partners," it said.

"The Russian citizens were exchanged for a group of persons who had acted in the interests of foreign states to the detriment of the security of the Russian Federation," the public relations center of the Russian Federal Security Service said.