and try and liberate the donbas and try and liberate ukraine from the west that was twisting ukraine's arm into doing certain things. this is the kremlin narrative that has been given to the russian people, so anybody tries to contradict that and criticise that operation risks a very heftyjail sentence such as some of these people. sentence such as some of these --eole. �* ., sentence such as some of these neale, �* ., ., sentence such as some of these --eole. �* ., ., ., , ., people. and one of the names i would also like to mention _ people. and one of the names i would also like to mention is _ people. and one of the names i would also like to mention is sasha, - people. and one of the names i would also like to mention is sasha, is - also like to mention is sasha, is she's called sasha, but scotia linker. she is only 33, she is an artist from petersburg. she was arrested and taken to a penal colony. she is an artist and run everything she did after the full—scale invasion of ukraine as she went into a supermarket and she replaced those supermarket pricing labels with anti—war messages. sasha skochilenko was then convicted of spreading false information about the russian army, so we understand that she is one of those as well

that she is one of those as well thatis that she is one of those as well that is going to be released today. if, indeed it does happen, we expect it to end now we are seeing these pictures live from ankara. we can now bring in from washington our correspondent, will grant, who is monitoring events from that end. first, what are you hearing? anything beyond the statement we have had from the biden administration yet?- have had from the biden administration yet? have had from the biden administration et? ., ., ., administration yet? no, not so far. as ou administration yet? no, not so far. as you can — administration yet? no, not so far. as you can imagine, _ administration yet? no, not so far. as you can imagine, they _ administration yet? no, not so far. as you can imagine, they are - administration yet? no, not so far. as you can imagine, they are being very. _ as you can imagine, they are being very. very— as you can imagine, they are being very, very cautious at this stage. they— very, very cautious at this stage. they don't— very, very cautious at this stage. they don't want to put expectations any higher— they don't want to put expectations any higherthan they don't want to put expectations any higher than they already are. but as_ any higher than they already are. but as things look, it obviously, as you have _ but as things look, it obviously, as you have been discussing, does look very. _ you have been discussing, does look very. very— you have been discussing, does look very, very optimistic in terms of the sheer— very, very optimistic in terms of the sheer numbers of people who could _ the sheer numbers of people who could be — the sheer numbers of people who could be released in the course of this prisoner swap. one of the most complex— this prisoner swap. one of the most complex in— this prisoner swap. one of the most complex in us history is being discussed. speculated about. so it is a very. — discussed. speculated about. so it is a very, very significant moment. and then _ is a very, very significant moment. and then one has to soar to think exaclly— and then one has to soar to think exactly what the two sides will get from it _

exactly what the two sides will get from it i— exactly what the two sides will get from it. ithink exactly what the two sides will get from it. i think from the washington perspective, it is pretty clear about — perspective, it is pretty clear about the kind of boost this would -ive about the kind of boost this would give to _ about the kind of boost this would give to president biden in the final months. _ give to president biden in the final months, weeks really of his presidency, the boost that would bring _ presidency, the boost that would bring two. — presidency, the boost that would bring two, harris as vice president and her_ bring two, harris as vice president and her campaign. and the timing is important— and her campaign. and the timing is important in — and her campaign. and the timing is important in that regard, at the very— important in that regard, at the very least _ important in that regard, at the very least-— important in that regard, at the ve least. �* , ., very least. and tell us about the cam aiun very least. and tell us about the campaign a _ very least. and tell us about the campaign a bit _ very least. and tell us about the campaign a bit more, _ very least. and tell us about the | campaign a bit more, particularly very least. and tell us about the - campaign a bit more, particularly to throw the wall streetjournal reporter, evan gershkovich. yes. throw the wall street journal reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is reall , reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really. this _ reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really, this has _ reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really, this has been _ reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really, this has been a _ reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really, this has been a long - reporter, evan gershkovich. yes, it is really, this has been a long time | is really, this has been a long time in the _ is really, this has been a long time in the pipeline. washington has wanted — in the pipeline. washington has wanted to see this happen for a long time and _ wanted to see this happen for a long time and all the different elements that were _ time and all the different elements that were involved here in securing the prisoner swap, securing evan gershkovich's release... just earlier— gershkovich's release... just earlier this year, gershkovich's release... just earlierthis year, impact, gershkovich's release... just earlier this year, impact, just in july the — earlier this year, impact, just in july the special envoy for hostage

affairs. _ july the special envoy for hostage affairs, roger carlson, said, i know evan— affairs, roger carlson, said, i know evan and— affairs, roger carlson, said, i know evan and paul will come home to the us and _ evan and paul will come home to the us and step — evan and paul will come home to the us and step on home soil. ijust don't _ us and step on home soil. ijust don't know— us and step on home soil. ijust don't know when. so there has been this baseline of a certain sense of optimism — this baseline of a certain sense of optimism. it has been a very tough road to— optimism. it has been a very tough road to get— optimism. it has been a very tough road to get to point. obviously focused — road to get to point. obviously focused on the various complex elements _ focused on the various complex elements. it is notjust going to be one direction, so one has to question— one direction, so one has to question with a leader like vladimir putin. _ question with a leader like vladimir putin. who — question with a leader like vladimir putin, who is such a transactional leader. _ putin, who is such a transactional leader. he — putin, who is such a transactional leader. he is— putin, who is such a transactional leader, he is not going tojust bow to washington's pressure, as we know, _ to washington's pressure, as we know. so— to washington's pressure, as we know, so there has to be something in return _ know, so there has to be something in return. the editions look like they— in return. the editions look like they have — in return. the editions look like they have been created, finally reaching — they have been created, finally reaching its crescendo today and that is _ reaching its crescendo today and that is of— reaching its crescendo today and that is of course to huge relief in evan— that is of course to huge relief in evan gershkovich's family, his colleagues, the bush obviously by the wall— colleagues, the bush obviously by the wall streetjournal colleagues, the bush obviously by the wall street journal and the variety— the wall street journal and the variety of— the wall street journal and the variety of different journalistic outlets — variety of different journalistic outlets who have called for his release — outlets who have called for his release over these years and of course — release over these years and of course the _ release over these years and of course the state department, the white _ course the state department, the white house and so on as well. so

this will— white house and so on as well. so this will be — white house and so on as well. so this will be the culmination of a lot of— this will be the culmination of a lot of hard _ this will be the culmination of a lot of hard work. i think they will put it— lot of hard work. i think they will put it that — lot of hard work. i think they will put it that way, without feeling to celebrate — put it that way, without feeling to celebrate about it because of course not everybody will be released today who they _ not everybody will be released today who they might have liked to see and -et who they might have liked to see and get out _ who they might have liked to see and net out. , who they might have liked to see and iet out, , ., who they might have liked to see and net out. , ., ., , ., get out. yes, sarah rainsford was makin: get out. yes, sarah rainsford was making the _ get out. yes, sarah rainsford was making the point _ get out. yes, sarah rainsford was making the point that _ get out. yes, sarah rainsford was making the point that hundreds i get out. yes, sarah rainsford was making the point that hundreds of political prisoners do remain in prison in russia as well. but as we look at these pictures weeks can see here of evan, tell us more as well about paul whelan, the former us marine, convicted of spying. he was sentenced to 16 years in jail back injune 2020. sentenced to 16 years in “ail back munch sentenced to 16 years in “ail back in june 2020. that's right, and he has served _ in june 2020. that's right, and he has served five _ in june 2020. that's right, and he has served five of _ in june 2020. that's right, and he has served five of those. - in june 2020. that's right, and he has served five of those. perhaps | has served five of those. perhaps the campaign for him hasn't been as visible _ the campaign for him hasn't been as visible as— the campaign for him hasn't been as visible as evan gershkovich because of the _ visible as evan gershkovich because of the nature of being a journalist. and he _ of the nature of being a journalist. and he was— of the nature of being a journalist. and he was a contractor and former marine _ and he was a contractor and former marine going to a wedding. nevertheless, the two names are often _ nevertheless, the two names are often in _ nevertheless, the two names are often in washington circles mentioned in the same breath, so it was clear— mentioned in the same breath, so it was clear that the intention was

always— was clear that the intention was always to — was clear that the intention was always to get them both out, if at all possible. so yes, you know, when the weight— all possible. so yes, you know, when the weight of washington's agencies are pointing in the same direction like it— are pointing in the same direction like it does— are pointing in the same direction like it does look like they have been _ like it does look like they have been in — like it does look like they have been in this instance, there is of course _ been in this instance, there is of course a — been in this instance, there is of course a whole range of not just those _ course a whole range of not just those agencies, but different countries involved, so it truly is a complex— countries involved, so it truly is a complex operation. it does appear like certain— complex operation. it does appear like certain things can be done, once _ like certain things can be done, once there _ like certain things can be done, once there is that willingness on the other— once there is that willingness on the other side i do know you have been _ the other side i do know you have been hearing from sarah rainsford and others — been hearing from sarah rainsford and others aboutjust how important it is as _ and others aboutjust how important it is as well— and others aboutjust how important it is as well from moscow's perspective, that, you know, there was a _ perspective, that, you know, there was a certain willingness on the kremlin's— was a certain willingness on the kremlin's side because they were beginning — kremlin's side because they were beginning to drop hints more and more _ beginning to drop hints more and more that— beginning to drop hints more and more that there was an openness to talking _ more that there was an openness to talking so — more that there was an openness to talking. so those channels of communication have clearly stayed open _ communication have clearly stayed open during this time, despite how bad things— open during this time, despite how bad things have become and particularly over the invasion of ukraine —

particularly over the invasion of ukraine. ~ , ., , particularly over the invasion of ukraine. ~ , ._ , , ukraine. well, stay with us. i 'ust want to bring fl ukraine. well, stay with us. i 'ust want to bring franklin * ukraine. well, stay with us. i 'ust want to bring franklin again. h ukraine. well, stay with us. ijust want to bring franklin again. just| want to bring franklin again. just to explain, we are looking at live pictures of a runway and sometimes they are a bit shaky, in ankara, in turkey. what are we hearing about turkey's involvement? fries. turkey. what are we hearing about turkey's involvement?— turkey. what are we hearing about turkey's involvement? yes, so one new snippet _ turkey's involvement? yes, so one new snippet is _ turkey's involvement? yes, so one new snippet is that _ turkey's involvement? yes, so one new snippet is that last _ turkey's involvement? yes, so one new snippet is that last week - new snippet is that last week reports are that there was a meeting between the head of mit, turkish intelligence, the head of russia's overseas intelligence gathering arm, the svr. it would have been the first time they have met, i'm sure. ankara, the turkish capital, is a very useful place. not exactly neutral ground, but a place where both russia and western officials feel comfortable meeting, where there is a kind of commonality there because turkey is a nato member, it is a nato ally. during the cold war it had an absolutely crucial role, but since the rise to power of

president recep tayyip erdogan hired band, the turkish president, it has increased its close relation with russia, where they have cooperated over a number of things, where i think there is a pretty close personal relationship between president erdogan and president putin, so it is no coincidence that this is what we are seeing between this is what we are seeing between this rather hazy, wobbly picture of a plane, this airport you are saying there is where we expect vadim krasikov, the most prominent russian prisoner that the kremlin once back, we expect him to be en route to their from we expect him to be en route to theirfrom germany and we expect him to be en route to their from germany and where also it is possible that evan gershkovich is also going to be released. so at some stage, as it stands, we could well be seeing pictures of both people walking down the gangplank into freedom. find people walking down the gangplank into freedom.— into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, _

into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, it _ into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, it is _ into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, it is not _ into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, it is not only - into freedom. and to get us to this moment, frank, it is not only beenj moment, frank, it is not only been complex and sensitive, but there must have been hundreds of hours of extremely painstaking preparatory work, talks between different people, a lot of pieces have to come together for this people, a lot of pieces have to come togetherfor this moment to happen. exactly, it is a jigsaw which you, if you imagine, it is completely jumbled up at the beginning, intelligent people, primarily, spooks put this stuff together behind the scenes. i mean, they had the advantage of working in the shadows, so that is one of the reasons why these things tend to be intelligence led and it is no coincidence that we are starting to hear quotes from the mit, that is the turkish intelligence, who will have been very closely involved, i'm sure, in this. it is not the first time. they were involved in trying to broker peace talks between russia and ukraine and they may well still be involved in those peace talks. of course, turkey has a huge great big long black sea coastline, so it is very much involved in what is going on further to the north. and the cia will have been involved, joan

intelligence, but very much the svr and to some extent the fsb because vadim krasikov, who is the primary quy vadim krasikov, who is the primary guy the kremlin once back, the man who is convicted of murdering a chechen dissident in the park in berlin in 2019, he is an fsb kernel. the fsb being one in three russian intelligence agencies, along with the tru and the svr. find intelligence agencies, along with the tru and the svr.— intelligence agencies, along with the tru and the svr. and well, you are still with — the tru and the svr. and well, you are still with us _ the tru and the svr. and well, you are still with us in _ the tru and the svr. and well, you are still with us in washington. - the tru and the svr. and well, you are still with us in washington. you| are still with us in washington. you mentioned this will be a real boost for president biden and also for kamala harris. can we assume, then, that you are looking at a bank of tvs in america and they are reporting this news, that this is a huge story in the us and that the fate of evan gershkovich and also paul whelan has been closely followed by americans over these past months?— followed by americans over these ast months? , ., , , ., past months? yes, absolutely. i mean it is on absolutely _ past months? yes, absolutely. i mean it is on absolutely every _ past months? yes, absolutely. i mean it is on absolutely every outfit, - past months? yes, absolutely. i mean it is on absolutely every outfit, it - it is on absolutely every outfit, it is all _ it is on absolutely every outfit, it is all they— it is on absolutely every outfit, it is all they are talking about. they are talking — is all they are talking about. they are talking about the history and the importance of this moment. and

of course, _ the importance of this moment. and of course, it— the importance of this moment. and of course, it is a serious boost in the arm — of course, it is a serious boost in the arm for— of course, it is a serious boost in the arm for president biden as he tales _ the arm for president biden as he tales out — the arm for president biden as he tales out of his time in office, but more _ tales out of his time in office, but more importantly into the race in november— more importantly into the race in november for vice president harris. so i november for vice president harris. so i think. _ november for vice president harris. so i think, of course, president biden, — so i think, of course, president biden, this _ so i think, of course, president biden, this is one of the things he clearly— biden, this is one of the things he clearly wanted to get achieved in his remaining time in office. he also _ his remaining time in office. he also wants— his remaining time in office. he also wants to broker a peace deal in the middle — also wants to broker a peace deal in the middle east. that, of course, is extraordinarily difficult and it might— extraordinarily difficult and it might not come off. but if he has managed — might not come off. but if he has managed to get evan gershkovich home and paul— managed to get evan gershkovich home and paul whelan home, that will be of huge _ and paul whelan home, that will be of huge importance to get, certainly to the _ of huge importance to get, certainly to the harris campaign. gk, of huge importance to get, certainly to the harris campaign.— to the harris campaign. 0k, thank ou. just to the harris campaign. 0k, thank you- just a — to the harris campaign. 0k, thank you- just a our— to the harris campaign. 0k, thank you. just a our viewers, _ to the harris campaign. 0k, thank you. just a our viewers, we - to the harris campaign. 0k, thank you. just a our viewers, we are . you. just a our viewers, we are seeing a runway in ankara where we are expecting to see one of the biggest prisoner exchanges between russia and the western history happening right now, involving 2a

people, america, russia, germany and three other european countries involved. we will continue to bring you updates and all the details here on bbc news, so do stay with us. quite a mixed weather picture to take you through this afternoon. there will be large areas of the uk there will be large areas of the uk that stay dry. there's quite a bit of cloud around, but some bright or sunny spells expected to come through that. however, there will be one or two areas that see some very big thunderstorms and a threat of some flash flooding. at the moment, no sign of those showers. however, we do need temperatures to reach around 25 degrees today before we get showers and thunderstorms. and we tick that box across parts of england and wales. and so we are likely to see that cloud really bubble up, race upwards quickly through the atmosphere to make those storm clouds this afternoon and the areas most at risk of seeing some of these really torrential downpours will be along this zone of convergence, running across parts of east wales, through parts of the midlands

and central southern england. the storms here, slow moving in nature, could dump a month's worth of rainfall, or thereabouts in the space ofjust a couple of hours. so there is the threat of seeing some disruption in just one or two areas. and then as we head towards the evening, those showers and thunderstorms still very active, still potentially bringing some flooding, will work towards east anglia and parts of south—east england as well, before easing during the second part of the night. now, temperatures overnight will generally fall to around 12—14 degrees for most areas, but still pretty warm across eastern england. 17 degrees your overnight low in the capital, where it will continue to feel quite humid. now over the next couple of days, low pressure is going to start to influence our weather and push a band of rain across the country, and with that will come some fresher air. now, on friday, the first signs of that change will be for scotland and northern ireland, with outbreaks of rain pushing in here, might be a bit of thunder mixed in with this for a time. the winds picking up as well, temperatures coming back down into the low 20s here,

but across england and wales it's still pretty warm. it's still pretty humid, temperatures reaching the high 20s in the warmest areas in the east. we pick up the weather story for the weekend on saturday with a threat of some rain, as that weather front pushes its way southwards and eastwards across england. what follows for the rest of the uk is a day of sunny spells and just a few showers across the north—west. you will notice the change to fresher conditions across the west. still quite humid at this stage in the east, but we will see that fresher air work right the way across the country through sunday, with temperatures coming back closer to average. bye for now.

live from london. this is bbc news. three us citizens imprisoned in russia, including wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich, are expected to be released under a prisoner exchange deal in the coming hours. a russian government plane landed in the turkish capital ankara shortly after turkey said it was coordinating an extensive prisoner swap. here are live pictures from the airport. the funeral of the political leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh, is held in tehran — benjamin netanyahu says israel delivered �*crushing blows' to its enemies. iran vows revenge. the suspect in the southport stabbings named in court as restrictions lifted.