Putin Welcomes Convicted Assassin Back to Russia as 'Patriot' - Kremlin Confirms He Was FSB Agent

Putin Welcomes Convicted Assassin Back to Russia as 'Patriot'

The Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, a convicted assassin who was returned to Russia in a major prisoner swap, was a member of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's most powerful security agency. Krasikov, who served time in a German prison for the murder of a Chechen former separatist fighter in Berlin, was welcomed back to Moscow by President Vladimir Putin as a hero.

Putin's Determination to Free Krasikov

The revelation about Krasikov's FSB ties sheds light on Putin's determination to secure his release. Putin has publicly praised Krasikov, calling him a "patriot" who was carrying out his duty by eliminating an enemy of the Russian state. This exchange, which involved 24 individuals from seven countries, was the first time Moscow admitted that Krasikov worked for the FSB.

Putin's Personal Triumph

Putin's presence at the airport to greet Krasikov and other freed prisoners underscores the importance he places on the prisoner swap. This rare display of personal involvement showcases the event as a personal triumph and a display of support for those who carry out his wishes. Putin even thanked the prisoners directly related to military service for their loyalty to their "oath, duty and the Motherland" and promised to decorate them with state awards.

Children's Ignorance of Their Russian Heritage

In a surprising revelation, the two children of Artyom and Anna Dultsev, undercover spies in the Russian "illegals program" who were imprisoned in Slovenia, learned only on the plane to Moscow that they were Russian and had any connection to Russia. The children had believed they were Argentine, as their parents had posed as a couple from Argentina.

A Hero's Welcome

Krasikov and the other returnees received a hero's welcome from Putin, who made a rare trip to the airport to greet them. The Russian-made government plane arrived at the V.I.P. terminal reserved for foreign dignitaries, where Putin stood next to the plane's ramp, covered in a red carpet, as his aides held flowers for him to give to the Dultsevs. The event was a clear indication of Putin's approval and his support for those who serve his interests, even if it means carrying out assassinations.