Footage released by the Russian side showed the prior day's controversial prisoner swap at a UAE airport tarmac, which saw convicted international arms trafficker Victor Bout freed and given over the Russian officials. Later, he reportedly carried a bouquet of flowers as he emerged upon touching down in Moscow, and embraced his wife and mother.

Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, tweeted in announcing Griner's long-awaited return to US soil, "So happy to have Brittney back on U.S. soil. Welcome home BG!"

Given the US government had months ago officially deemed her 'wrongfully detained' - or essentially a hostage, she's expected to be taken to a nearby Army hospital for a health review and observation before returning to her family.

As for Bout's homecoming, the Kremlin continues hailing it as a 'victory' while saying he'll receive a hero's welcome. Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova went so far as to call Bout a "wonderful man who has become a victim of American insinuations."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that embassies and officials around the world were receiving messages of support from "people in Russia and abroad." "Incredible!" Zakharova said on Telegram. "They are thanking the country."

There's speculation that Griner and Bout may have shaken hands, but which may have been edited out of the video footage:

You can tell Griner went in for a handshake with Viktor Bout and it was completely edited out. Watch her body language just before the edit. https://t.co/pNHar7lEjA

— Rob Schmitt (@SchmittNYC) December 8, 2022

The 55-year old who became notorious for decades ago pouring tens of thousands of AK-47s and other weapons into brutal civil wars in Africa, many of which included widespread use of child soldiers, apparently has turned his focus on art:

His wife Alla said Bout's release was a "true New Year's gift."

She also said Bout planned to open an exhibition of his paintings in Saint Petersburg in April.

The movie "Lord of War," which is based on Viktor Bout, the man being exchanged for Brittney Griner, actually predicted his release from prison at the end of the film