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From undermining critics and adversaries to excessive praise for supporters depicted as patriots, the Russian authority is going all-out to show people that the prisoner swap deal was a success from the Kremlin read more
 "What's behind Putin's 'rare' airport visit to recieve prisoners?")
Russian President Vladimir Putin, second right, Federal Security Service (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov, right, and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin, third left, greet freed Russian prisoners upon their arrival at Vnukovo government airport outside Moscow, Russia, Aug. 1. AP
The Russians returning to their home country were received in a lavish reception: red carpet, bouquets of flowers, guard of honour and some even got a hug from President Vladimir Putin. It is not natural for Putin to welcome people at the airport but following the biggest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, the president felt a sense of personal victory.
“Congratulations on your return to the Motherland!” Putin said as he greeted the ten people at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.
“I would like to address those of you who have a direct connection to military service. Thank you for your loyalty to your oath and your duty to your Motherland, which has never forgotten you for a moment,” the President said.
Why is Kremlin celebrating this as a personal victory?
Another narrative being promoted by pro-Kremlin media at the moment is that it’s a relief to see Russia has been released from its prisons and sent abroad.
The government paper read, “Eight Russians who’d been jailed in Nato countries have returned to the Motherland in exchange for individuals who had been acting to the detriment of Russia’s national security.”
From undermining critics and adversaries to excessive praise for supporters depicted as patriots, the Russian authority is going all-out to show people that the prisoner swap deal was a success from the Kremlin.
The picture of the day was when Putin embraced Vadim Krasikov, the Federal Security Service (FSB) agent who was serving life imprisonment in Germany for killing a Georgian-born Chechen dissident. Krasikov’s repatriation is noteworthy as, throughout the course of negotiations, Russia remained adamant about getting him back, making it clear that he topped the wish list.
Krasikov, along with the other freed Russian nationals, will get state awards, Putin promised them at the airport.
With inputs from agencies
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