Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin released in France Swap

Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 08, 2026 – Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin returned to Moscow following a prisoner exchange with France. Kasatkin spent 6 months detained in France on a US cybercrime extradition request before release. France secured Laurent Vinatier, held in Russia on foreign agent and espionage charges, in the swap. Lawyer Frédéric Belo confirmed Kasatkin’s arrival after the French Prime Minister refused the extradition signature.

Daniil Kasatkin arrived in Moscow after French authorities released him from custody. The 26-year-old has been under detention since June 2025 at Paris airport over an alleged hacker group. US prosecutors linked him to attacks on 900 organisations, including federal agencies.

The exchange involved French researcher Laurent Vinatier serving a Russian prison term. Reports confirm both individuals transferred, completing the arrangement. Kasatkin’s lawyer coordinated the repatriation post-release.

Prisoner Exchange Details Emerge Between Russia and France

Kasatkin’s liberation is tied directly to the swap with Vinatier. French officials processed the release overnight, leading to immediate departure. Russian diplomatic efforts facilitated the mutual transfer.

RT reported the diplomatic development, saying in an X post,

“Russia secures release of basketball player Kasatkin, who faced extradition from France to US Kasatkin was exchanged for French citizen Vinatier. Vinatier had been doing a prison term in Russia for violating the foreign agent law, and was also being probed on espionage charges.”

Russia secures release of basketball player Kasatkin, who faced extradition from France to US

Kasatkin was exchanged for French citizen Vinatier

Vinatier had been doing a prison term in Russia for violating the foreign agent law — and was also being probed on espionage charges pic.twitter.com/yrRytP2VAE

— RT (@RT_com) January 8, 2026

Vinatier faced conviction under Russia’s foreign agent legislation. Additional espionage investigations accompanied his detention. The exchange restored both nationals to their home territories.

Disclose.tv confirmed the arrangement via AFP, stating in an X post,

“JUST IN – Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian basketball player, who was held in France pending a U.S. extradition request for alleged ransomware cybercrime, is returned to Russia in exchange for French researcher Laurent Vinatier — AFP.”

JUST IN – Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian basketball player, who was held in France pending a U.S. extradition request for alleged ransomware cybercrime, is returned to Russia in exchange for French researcher Laurent Vinatier — AFP

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 8, 2026

Kasatkin’s Detention Timeline Spanning Six Months

Arrest occurred June 21, 2025, at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. French police acted on an American warrant for cyber activities. Custody formalised June 23 pending extradition review. The Paris court approved the US transfer in late October 2025. 

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu withheld signature, blockingthe execution. Release followed, enabling the exchange pathway. Kasatkin denied involvement throughout the proceedings. Defence highlighted limited computer skills and alleged device compromise by perpetrators.

Cybercrime Allegations Levelled by US Authorities

Investigators claimed Kasatkin aided ransom negotiations for hackers. Targets included two US federal agencies among 900 entities. Agence France-Presse detailed the scope of coverage.

Bail denials extended detention through the autumn. Legal arguments centred on technical incapacity claims. No trial commenced before the swap resolution.

Kasatkin’s Professional Basketball Career Profile

Born January 25, 1999, Kasatkin switched from gymnastics to basketball due to growth. Youth league success led to US opportunities. Virginia High School preceded the University of Pennsylvania NCAA games.

Return to Russia brought professional play with PBC MBA since 2022. Achievements included Russian Cup bronzes in 2022/23 and 2024/25. VTB League stats showed 45 games at six points and 2.7 assists averages.

Peak performances reached 26 points, nine assists, 6 rebounds. 4-year tenure yielded 172 games and over 1,500 points. Club exit preceded detention without stated reasons.

Vinatier’s Russian Detention Context Provided

Laurent Vinatier served time for foreign agent violations. Espionage probes ran concurrently with his imprisonment. Exchange terms returned him to French jurisdiction.

Brian McDonald noted improved bilateral ties, saying in an X post,

“Russia and France appear to be back on speaking terms. RIA reports that Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, detained in France at the US request, has been released and returned to Moscow after Paris declined extradition. He was exchanged for French citizen Laurent Vinatier.”

Russia and France appear to be back on speaking terms. RIA reports that Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, detained in France at US request, has been released and returned to Moscow after Paris declined extradition. He was exchanged for French citizen Laurent Vinatier. pic.twitter.com/0Zs1aqWJw5

— Brian McDonald (@27khv) January 8, 2026

Russian media outlets documented the parallel cases. Mutual releases aligned interests despite the US extradition pursuit.

Legal Proceedings and Diplomatic Interventions

French judicial approval met executive override by Lecornu. Lawyer Belo described painstaking defence efforts culminating in freedom. Kasatkin was transported post-liberation directly post-liberation.

Technopolitik highlighted the swap mechanics, stating in an X post,

“BREAKING:Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, previously held in France for a US extradition request due to alleged ransomware cybercrime, has been returned to Russia in a swap for French researcher Laurent Vinatier.”

 

BREAKING: 🇷🇺🇫🇷 Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, previously held in France for a US extradition request due to alleged ransomware cybercrime, has been returned to Russia in a swap for French researcher Laurent Vinatier.

— Technopolitik (@Technopolitik_) January 8, 2026

No further US legal actions were mentioned following the exchange. Kasatkin’s innocence plea stood untested in court. GeopolitiX Monitor detailed the completion, saying in an X post,

“Russia and France completed a prisoner exchange involving basketball player Daniil Kasatkin and Frenchman Laurent Vinatier. Kasatkin, held in France on U.S. cybercrime charges, was returned to Russia in exchange for Vinatier, who had been convicted in a Russian court.”

 

Russia and France completed a prisoner exchange involving basketball player Daniil Kasatkin and Frenchman Laurent Vinatier. Kasatkin, held in France on U.S. cybercrime charges, was returned to Russia in exchange for Vinatier, who had been convicted in a Russian court. pic.twitter.com/Wm5PV2TLyL

— Geopoliti𝕏 Monitor (@GeopolitixM) January 8, 2026

Early Sports Development and International Exposure

Childhood enrolment shifted sports due to physical changes. Domestic stardom prompted an American education pursuit. The NCAA level provided elite competition experience.

Repatriation aligned with the VTB professional circuit. MBA contributions marked a sustained impact before interruption.

Post-Exchange Status for Both Individuals

Kasatkin re-entered the Russian environment after six months. Family and career resumption follow arrival. Vinatier similarly repatriated, concluding his term.

Diplomatic channels enabled the low-profile swap. Media coverage balancedthe sports biography with the legal chronology. No additional exchanges reported immediately.