Paul Whelan Recounts Harsh Treatment and Emotional Struggle in Russian Prison

Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, has spoken out about his harrowing experience in a Russian prison, where he was detained for nearly six years on espionage charges that he and his supporters have consistently denied. Whelan was released in August 2024 as part of a significant prisoner swap, one of the largest since the Cold War era.

During his time in captivity, Whelan endured severe conditions that he described as “torture.” He was held in a Russian labor camp where he faced sleep deprivation, a tactic used by the Russian authorities to exert psychological pressure. Whelan recounted that his cell was kept under constant light, and he was frequently woken up every two hours for photographs, disrupting his sleep pattern significantly.

Whelan also shared that he received visits from ambassadors and consular teams from the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, which kept him informed about global events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the propaganda-filled Russian media, Whelan learned about the war through these visits and mail from home.

The prisoner swap that led to his release involved complex negotiations, including the involvement of a convicted assassin who had been imprisoned in Germany. Whelan expressed mixed feelings about the deal, acknowledging the difficulties faced by the U.S. government in securing his release while also criticizing the fact that he was often overlooked in previous prisoner exchanges, such as the one that freed WNBA star Brittney Griner.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News‘ Andrea Mitchell, Whelan detailed his emotional struggle and the moment that nearly broke his spirit. He also praised Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his team for their efforts in trying to secure his release, although he questioned whether higher levels of the U.S. government were as committed to his case.