Freed American Paul Whelan opens up about life inside a Russian labor camp
Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia in 2018, got little sleep and used secret cellphones to communicate with prisoners sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
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Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia in 2018, got little sleep and used secret cellphones to communicate with prisoners sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
In his first sit-down interview since his release from Russia, Paul Whelan said being left behind twice in prisoner swaps played with his mind.
The Marine veteran was released in August as part of a complex deal with Russia.
The village of Manchester came together Thursday to celebrate the return of Paul Whelan, who was released exactly two weeks ago after spending nearly six years as a prisoner in Russia.
Danny Fenster, who was imprisoned in Myanmar in 2021, summed up his return back home as surreal.
A plane carrying Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva landed at a military base in Maryland after they were freed by Russia in a prisoner exchange.
The Biden administration announced the release of three U.S. citizens from Russia, including Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, as part of a complex 24-person prisoner swap.
There are many smiles in the village of Manchester, where Paul Whelan's parents live. The tight-knit community is breathing a sigh of relief, hearing that Whelan is finally coming home.
Whelan has been held in Russia since December 2018, when he traveled to the country to attend a friend's wedding.
Michigan officials are reacting to the news that the Biden administration secured the release of Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
Family members of Paul Whelan, who has been in a Russian prison for nearly five years, have now gone to Washington, D.C., to speak with officials and advocate for his return.
A court in Russia has sentenced U.S. national Robert Woodland to more than 12 years in prison on drug charges, his lawyer says.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors in Russia on espionage charges he, the Journal and Washington vehemently deny. A conviction is considered almost certain.
A Moscow court says a U.S. man has been jailed for drunkenly crashing through a kid's library window, as an American soldier is also detained.
Russian President Vladimir Putin implied he wanted to make a prisoner swap in an interview with Tucker Carlson.
The State Department recently said the U.S. made a "significant" proposal for the release of Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich that was rejected by Russia.
A Russian court says a U.S. national identified as Robert Romanov Woodland has been detained on drug charges that carry a possible 20-year prison sentence.
Today, Dec. 28, marks five years since Russian authorities detained Michigan native and former Marine Paul Whelan, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says they will "not rest until he is safely back with his family where he belongs."
Whelan was first detained by Russian authorities in December 2018 while attending a friend's wedding. He was convicted in 2020 of espionage and sentenced to 16 years of hard labor.
American Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia for 5 years, says it's "unfathomable to me that they've left me behind."
Vladimir Putin held his first end-of-year news conference since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Novi native Paul Whelan remains in a Russian prison.
Paul Whelan, an American businessman, has been wrongfully detained in Russia since 2018, and his brother is calling on President Joe Biden to get him released.
The State Department said "a number of proposals" have been made to secure the release of the wrongfully detained Americans.
Paul Whelan's family said a fellow prisoner hit him in the face and broke his glasses after he asked him to move out of the way.
Canadian authorities say they intercepted nearly 600 pounds of suspected methamphetamine inbound from Michigan at the Blue Water Bridge.
A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing former special counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents investigation.
The Social Security Administration wouldn't stop issuing benefits once its trust funds are exhausted, but it could be forced to cut benefits.
The average price per gallon of unleaded gas in Michigan is currently at $2.85, AAA says.
A BMW involved in a pursuit in Monroe and Wayne counties had two flat tires by the time the driver was taken into custody.
Three men are in custody after a 19-year-old man was found fatally shot Monday near Proud Lake in Commerce Township, Michigan.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from Detroit on Sunday was diverted to Alabama due to "civil unrest" in the region, according to a company spokesperson.
Canadian authorities say they intercepted nearly 600 pounds of suspected methamphetamine inbound from Michigan at the Blue Water Bridge.
A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing former special counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents investigation.
A local animal outreach group has helped a Detroit man and his dogs get off the streets and into a new home.
Union Vice President Laura Dickerson confirmed that the worker, TJ Sabula, "has no discipline on his record."
Some General Motors employees are taken aback by this year's profit-sharing checks, with it being $4,000 less than the previous one.
While many assume a "harsh" winter, or this bone-chilling, sustained cold, is the enemy of asphalt, the real culprit is temperature fluctuation.
In Metro Detroit, drivers are paying about $2.90 per gallon, which is 2 cents less than last week and 29 cents less than at the same time last year.
The winter storm that brought snow to Southeast Michigan on Sunday didn't stop car enthusiasts from leaving their homes for the final day of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.
Barry Manilow announced Friday he needs to reschedule several more concerts as he continues to recover following surgery after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi said in a TikTok video that her results at a post-op appointment for a cone biopsy showed stage 1 cervical cancer.
In April 2025, Eric Dane announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
Warner Bros. Discovery said that Paramount Skydance is considering enhancing its buyout offer for the entertainment company.
Robert Duvall was in such classics as "The Godfather," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "M*A*S*H," "The Great Santini" and "Tender Mercies."
A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing former special counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents investigation.
The Social Security Administration wouldn't stop issuing benefits once its trust funds are exhausted, but it could be forced to cut benefits.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from Detroit on Sunday was diverted to Alabama due to "civil unrest" in the region, according to a company spokesperson.
The space agency said Sunday it's targeting Tuesday for the slow, four-mile trek across Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting.
An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday morning after "unauthorized entry" into the secure perimeter at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, the U.S. Secret Service said.
Michigan lawmakers required schools to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan for the current school year if the Legislature appropriated "sufficient funds," but funding wasn't dedicated in the education budget.
What started as food poisoning for a young boy in Clinton Township turned into years of organ failure.
Officials announced eligibility for mothers and babies in the city of Detroit.
Two Metro Detroit representatives are among those sponsoring a bill that calls for a 32% tax on any wireless device purchased for someone age 17 and younger.
The Oakland Community Health Network will now be taking over that responsibility amidst a financial dispute between the two organizations.
WNBA player Kara Braxton, who won two championship titles with the Detroit Shock, has died.
The Milan Cortina Olympics ended Sunday with a closing ceremony inside the ancient Roman amphitheater, Verona Arena.
Through a sudden death overtime goal, the U.S. men's hockey team is golden over Canada.
Jalen Duren had 26 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a suspension to help the Detroit Pistons take charge in the second half and roll to a 126-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore was found dead at the age of 25 at a residence in New Albany, Indiana, authorities reported Saturday.
Penske, a business and racing legend, turns 89 on Feb. 20 and is celebrating his 60th year in racing during 2026.
Claressa Shields talks about giving back to the community and her efforts to increase equity for women in sports.
The roundtable discusses the impact of the high-profile game for advertisers, including Detroit-based Rocket and Redfin.
Could a new entertainment tax and a new sales tax be ahead for the Motor City?
As the 2026 Detroit Auto Show wraps up Sunday, the roundtable discusses the signature event and standout moments from the past two weeks.
Civil unrest and violence in Mexico has disrupted vacation and travel plans for Metro Detroiters. Those stories include a flight diverted while en route, and a family waiting for word when they can safely leave their hotel.
Blizzard warnings are affecting 40 million people on the East Coast under what is said to be New York City's worst storm in years. The impact includes canceled flights for some Detroit Metro passengers.
An East Coast blizzard is affecting some flights at Detroit Metro Airport. Metro Detroiters are among the tourists told to shelter in place after violence erupts in parts of Mexico. Those headlines, weather and other top stories are in our news brief.
Monday Monday... Yep, Winter has returned with colder temps and snow showers. For today expect chance of snow showers this morning, then a chance of flurries between 10am and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 26. Expecting more snow late Tuesday and Tuesday night. Snow totals ranging from one half to 2 inches, with highest amounts across the Saginaw valley and northern thumb. A little warmer temps return late week!
Police say two people are dead and a motorist is in custody after a vehicle crashed into a building in Detroit, a facility in Romulus that Mayor Robert McCraight said was secured by the Department of Homeland Security has been vandalized and other top headlines for the evening of Feb. 22, 2026.