The Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, recently freed by Germany in a high-stakes prisoner swap, was a serving officer of Russia’s secret police, the FSB. This admission reveals that his 2019 murder of a Chechen exile in Berlin was likely a state-sanctioned hit. The release of Krasikov was a crucial part of a complex negotiation involving 16 people, including American reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, revealed that Krasikov is indeed an FSB agent and has worked with some of the people on Putin’s personal security team. This explains why Putin was so adamant about getting Krasikov back as part of the recent prisoner exchange.

Krasikov, along with seven other Russians, was released from prisons in Western countries and returned to Moscow. In exchange, Russia freed 16 people, including US reporter Evan Gershkovich and several Russian opposition leaders. Negotiators said that for Putin, Krasikov was the key to making this deal happen. Source...