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Putin greets Russians, who return home as a result of exchange

Putin waited for the released Russians near the boarding stairs of an aircraft of the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vnukovo-2 airport to personally greet Russians, who were in detention in Western countries and were recently released as a result of an exchange.

Putin waited for the released Russians near the boarding stairs of an aircraft of the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron. They also received a red carpet welcome, involving around 40 ceremonial guards of the Presidential Regiment.

The Russian president had to wait for several minutes while the plane’s crew was going through the obligatory post-flight procedures.

When the Russians started to leave the plane, Putin welcomed each one of them with a handshake or a hug.

Anna Dultseva, who broke into tears of joy while descending from the plane, got a hearty hug from Putin and a friendly kiss on the cheek. Putin also brought two bouquets of roses and hydrangeas for Dultseva and her daughter.

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and FSB director Alexander Bortnikov also arrived in the airport to welcome the released Russians.

In the airport terminal, the president delivered a brief welcome speech, thanking them for loyalty to their oath and congratulating on the return.

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