Official confirms exchange of Marc Fogel for Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik

According to a Trump administration official interviewed by Fox News on Wednesday, the United States has decided to release Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik in exchange for securing the freedom of American teacher Marc Fogel, who had been held in Russia since 2021.

Marc Fogel was released on Tuesday and arrived in the U.S. late last night after being detained in Russia for a period of time.

Alexander Vinnik’s arrest dates back to 2017 when he was detained in Greece at the behest of the U.S. government on charges related to cryptocurrency fraud. Following his extradition to the United States, Vinnik pleaded guilty last year to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said the Russian prisoner’s name would be revealed when he returns home. 

Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania history teacher who was working at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, returned to U.S. soil on Tuesday night. (The White House via X)

After his arrival in the U.S., Fogel met with President Donald Trump at the White House and called him a hero for securing his release. 

“I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. And President Trump is a hero,” Fogel said after meeting Trump. 

“These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes,” Fogel continued. “The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor – they got me home – they are heroes.” 

Fogel reacts during an event held by President Donald Trump to welcome him back. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

When asked by reporters on Tuesday whether the U.S. had given up anything in return for Fogel, Trump replied “not much” without offering additional details. 

Fox News’ Pat Ward, Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report.