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Photographers also captured the moving moments of the three being reunited with their family members.
The Journal’s Gershkovich, who has been detained by the Russians for 491 days on espionage charges, was seen embracing his mother, Ella Milman.
Kevin Mohatt via Reuters
The stop at Joint Base Andrews will just be the first on their journey. Next, the three will head to San Antonio, Texas to Brooke Army Medical Center for evaluation and any treatment that they need.
“We have waited 491 days for Evan’s release, and it’s hard to describe what today feels like. We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close,” Gershkovich’s family said in a statement on Thursday.
“No family should have to go through this, and so we share relief and joy today with Paul and Alsu’s families,” the statement added.