Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly wants his hit man back, perhaps in exchange for a prisoner swap with detained U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, 31, and others held in Russia. Assassin Vadim Krasikov, 58, is imprisoned in Germany for a 2019 execution-style murder of Chechen insurgent leader Zelimkhan Khangoshvili. Putin had sought a prisoner exchange for his Russian hit man before he was convicted in 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported. The U.S. is seeking the return of U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan and the Journal's Gershkovich, and Krasikov is key leverage, officials told the Journal. A deal for Whelan, Gershkovich, and Putin opposition leader Alexei Navalny could be possible, officials from several countries told the Journal.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 10, 2023 20:29 UTC