Among those released by Russia were American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
Among the Russians released by Western countries was convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of a Georgian-born Chechen dissident in a Berlin park.
On Friday, Mr Kara-Murza and Mr Yashin, along with another dissident, Andrei Pivovarov, pledged to continue working toward a “free” Russia and advocate on behalf of political prisoners still held there.
Russian human rights group Memorial says hundreds of political prisoners are currently being held in prisons.
“I couldn't believe I would see my wife again. I couldn't believe I would see my family again. It's really surreal, it's like a movie,” Kara-Murza said.
