UK 'strongly welcomes' release of two citizens in Russia prisoner swap

The UK government on Thursday said it "strongly welcomes" the release of its citizens Paul Whelan and Vladimir Kara-Murza as part of a prisoner swap deal with Russia.

"I am particularly relieved that British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan will soon be reunited with their families," foreign minister David Lammy said in a statement.

AFP