WNBA's Brittney Griner Reacts To Marine Paul Whelan's Release From Russian Captivity

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner is celebrating the release of U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, 54, after a deal was announced to release Whelan from Russian detainment.

Whelan, long held in Russian captivity for "spying," was released as part of a major trade. Also included in the swap with Russia was Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested in 2023 for espionage and recently sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony. Whelan received a 16-year sentence on spying charges in June 2020.

The international swap announced on Thursday was described as the biggest trade with Russia since the Cold War.

Griner, 32, previously spent 10 months in Russian captivity and was released in December 2022 — culpable of bringing a THC vape pen to a Russian airport while playing basketball overseas........

"Great day. It’s a great day. It’s a great day," Griner said. "We’ll talk more about it later. But head over heels happy for the families right now. Any day that Americans come home, that’s a win. That’s a win."



https://www.outkick.com/sports/wnbas-brittney-griner-reacts-marine-paul-whelans-release-from-russian-captivity