Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who was detained in Russian prisons for nearly six years, expressed his gratitude upon his arrival in the United States. He thanked everyone for their support during his ordeal.
During a press conference at Kelly Field in Texas, Whelan proudly displayed an American flag pin given to him by President Joe Biden. He shared that his journey to freedom didn't feel real until they were flying over England, where he holds citizenship in addition to being American, Canadian, and Irish.
Whelan, along with a Russian-American journalist, initially landed at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, DC, after a multi-nation effort secured their release. They later traveled to Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, where they are expected to undergo medical evaluations at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Whelan expressed his anticipation of reuniting with his family and recovering from the years of captivity he endured in Russia. He held up a flag honoring hostages and wrongful detainees as a symbol of solidarity with others who have faced similar challenges.
