The United States announced on Thursday that it had secured the release of three American citizens from Russia. Alongside Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva are also expected to return to American soil by nightfall. This exchange is part of a 24-person prisoner swap, one of the largest since the end of the Cold War, involving Russia, the U.S., Germany, and three other Western countries.

Sources familiar with the planned exchange confirmed to the Guardian that the swap would take place on Thursday at a location outside of Russia. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, further details have not been disclosed until the swap is completed.

Both Gershkovich and Whelan, who were accused by Russian authorities of espionage, have already been freed and are en route to a destination outside Russia, as reported by Bloomberg.