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Three Americans who were freed in a prisoner swap deal with Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, have arrived back on US soil, BBC News reports.

Mr Gershkovich, 32, was one of 16 people swapped for eight Russian prisoners in what has been described as the biggest exchange since the end of the Cold War between Russia and the West.

The exchange at an airfield in Turkey also included the release of former US marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.

After touching down at Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland, Mr Gershkovich, Ms Kurmasheva and Mr Whelan emerged from the jet to cheers from those on the tarmac.

All three were greeted by US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris before they embraced their families.

They lingered on the tarmac for photographs and conversations before leaving the air base within an hour, as did Mr Biden and Ms Harris's motorcades.

Speaking ahead of their return, Mr Biden welcomed their release and declared: "Their brutal ordeal is over."

He praised the role played by America's allies, particularly Germany and Slovenia, and hailed the release of Mr Whelan, Mr Gershkovich and Ms Kurmasheva, as well as leading Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, as a "feat of diplomacy".

The three released Americans were then sent to the Brooke Army Medical Centre in Texas for a medical check-up.

In total, 24 people jailed in seven different countries were exchanged in Ankara, Turkey's presidency said.

The prisoners were held in the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus, it said in a statement.