The children of a Russian spy couple, recently returned to their homeland following a historic prisoner swap, learned of their nationality for the first time during their flight to Moscow. The couple, posing as an Argentine family in Slovenia, consisted of Artem Viktorovich Dultsev and Anna Valerevna Dultseva, who were imprisoned on espionage charges.
During their return, their children were unaware of President Vladimir Putin’s identity and inquired about him upon arrival, according to a Kremlin spokesperson. This significant prisoner exchange involved 24 individuals from seven different countries, marking the largest such operation since the Cold War.
Among those exchanged were 16 Western prisoners held in Russia and eight Russian prisoners detained in the US, Norway, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia. Notably, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was among those released.
The Dultsev family received a warm welcome home, with the couple’s daughter and wife being greeted with flowers and affection from President Putin. The president greeted the children with a friendly “Buenas noches,” showcasing the Kremlin’s embrace of the family.
The couple, initially arrested in Slovenia in 2022, had adopted the identities of María Mayer and Ludwig Gisch upon their arrival in 2017. While Artem operated a startup under his alias, Anna managed an online art gallery. After pleading guilty to spying and serving 19 months in prison, they were released under the condition to leave Slovenia.
Upon their return to Russia, 11-year-old Sofia and 8-year-old Gabriel experienced a life-changing moment, discovering their Russian nationality only as their flight departed from Ankara. The Kremlin spokesperson highlighted the sacrifices made by undercover agents for the sake of their service, underscoring the dedication required in such roles.
