### Paul Whelan Reveals Passing Information to Western Officials During Russian Detention

Paul Whelan, recently released from a Russian prison after five and a half years, disclosed on Sunday that he had been conveying information from fellow detainees on the Ukrainian frontlines to Western governments. During an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation," Whelan explained that he received this information through communication channels established with prisoners who were actively fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Whelan, who holds citizenship in the US, the UK, Canada, and Ireland, stated that he utilized "burner" phones to facilitate these exchanges. These phones were procured illegally within the Russian labor camp in Mordovia. "The prisoners from the camp that went to the frontline, they had communication. And they would communicate with us. And the communication from them I was passing back to the four governments," Whelan explained. He further elaborated that bribing the prison guards with cigarettes allowed for a significant degree of freedom and access, despite the strict environment.

Consular officials from the four involved countries routinely visited Whelan during his imprisonment, ensuring his well-being and updating him on efforts to secure his release. Whelan disclosed that approximately 450 prisoners from his camp were sent to fight in Ukraine. Many of them were young men from Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. He described the grim fate of many of these individuals, noting that some had perished, while others had returned with severe injuries or psychological trauma.

Whelan detailed the use of these prisoners as front-line soldiers by Russian forces, recounting harrowing experiences where they were used to clear minefields or draw enemy fire. He condemned these tactics, highlighting the devastating impact on these young men and criticizing Russian leadership for wasting an entire generation in an aimless conflict.

Earlier this year, Whelan, a former US Marine, was released as part of a significant prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. This complex negotiation involved eight individuals being sent back to Russia in exchange for 16 detainees, including four Americans, marking a historic resolution after years of intensive discussions involving the US, Russia, and Germany.