photo: tass
MOSCOW, 2 August. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived at Vnukovo-2 airport to personally greet Russians who have been detained in Western countries and have recently been released in an exchange.
Putin waited for the released Russians at the boarding steps of the Rossiya special air squadron. They were also given a red-carpet welcome, which involved some 40 presidential regiment ceremonialists.
The Russian president had to wait for several minutes while the flight crew went through the obligatory post-flight procedures.
As the Russians began to leave the plane, Putin greeted each of them with a handshake or a hug.
Anna Dultseva, who cried tears of joy as she descended from the plane, received a warm hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek from Putin. Putin also brought two bouquets of roses and hydrangeas for Dultseva and her daughter.
The released Russians were also welcomed at the airport by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov.
In the airport terminal, the President gave a short welcome speech in which he thanked them for their loyalty to the oath and congratulated them on their return.
TASS/gnews.cz-jav
https://tass.com/politics/1824357
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