The State Department has finally succeeded in securing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner on December 8. Griner, who was stuck in Russia for eight months and was being held in the IK-2 penal colony, was released on Thursday as a part of a one-for-one prisoner swap deal between the US and Russia.

As per a US official, the Biden Administration agreed to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison under drug possession charges. The decisive action from the US authorities has certainly come as a Christmas Miracle for Griner, who was facing reportedly the most horrific conditions in the penal colony.

As per CBS, the prisoner swap took place in the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, five US officials have revealed that the agreement was reached between the two countries on November 1.

Joe Biden meets Brittney Griner’s wife and had a call with Griner:

​In his recent tweet, Biden informed the country about the major win. He shared that Griner was safe and on her plane from UAE to the US.

Biden wrote, “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe, She is on a plane, She is on her way home.”

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The President shared the photos of Himself, vice President Kamala Harris and Cherelle Griner from the Oval Office in the tweet. Cherelle Griner joined Biden, Harris, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a phone call with Brittney Griner.

“Already a Terrible Place for a Russian”: Brittney Griner’s Prison Sentence Comes With the Heaviest Toll, Claims American Professor

The news about Brittney Griner’s release would bring great joy to her supporters ahead of Christmas. She was first arrested in Russia at Moscow Airport in February after customs officials reportedly found vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil in her luggage.

Griner traveled to Russia during the WNBA offseason to play for her team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. Unexpectedly, BG was detained for months before being sentenced to nine years in prison under drug possession charges.

President Biden breaks the news to the world

Shortly after the release of Griner, President Joe Biden spoke with the media at the White House. Biden said, “Glad to be able to say Brittney is in good spirits.” He shared that the two-time Olympic gold medalist was looking forward to returning him.

Further, the President also dismissed Griner’s legal process as a ‘show trial in Russia’ that led to the WNBA star ending up in a penal colony.

WATCH THIS STORY: Did WNBA star Brittney Griner date 7-ft Lakers center, Anthony Davis?

At the same time, the president reminded everyone that retired US marine Paul Whelan had not been forgotten. He claimed that the State Department would not give up on securing Whelan’s release.

Since Brittney Griner has been saved from spending nine years in Russia by Joe Biden and the US government; when do you expect the WNBA star to play again on the court? Tell us in the comments section below.