Upon the release of Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva, their family members are eagerly awaiting their arrival at Joint Base Andrews. The families will be present on the tarmac to greet their loved ones as they land, marking a long-awaited reunion.
A US official has confirmed that the same group of family members who were present in the Oval Office earlier on Thursday to receive the news of the release directly from President Joe Biden will be at the airbase to welcome the returning individuals.
The individuals expected to be on the tarmac include Elizabeth Whelan, who is Paul Whelan's sister; Mikhail Gershkovich, Evan Gershkovich's father; Ella Milman, Evan Gershkovich's mother; Danielle Gershkovich, Evan Gershkovich's sister; Anthony Huczek, Evan Gershkovich's brother-in-law; Pavel Butorin, Alsu Kurmasheva's husband; and Bibi and Miriam Butorin, Alsu Kurmasheva's daughters.
