https://nationalpost.com/ .. rittney-griner
Despite U.S.-Russia relations being at their lowest point since the Cold War, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the countries managed to carry out a surprise swap of prisoners last month, with former Marine Trevor Reed exchanged for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot convicted in U.S. federal court of smuggling cocaine.
Bout, a Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of death,” is in the middle of a 25-year federal prison sentence for smuggling arms to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for use against U.S. forces. Arrested in Thailand in 2008 and expedited to the U.S., Bout was convicted of conspiracy to k*ll U.S. citizens and officials and providing aid to a terrorist organization.”