Speaking alongside his wife Chrissie and daughter Maddie, Colin thanked Australians for their support.
"I'd really like to thank Australia for backing me, looking after my family, mowing my lawns, walking my dog," he explained.
But while the Australian Government "could have done more," Consular Officials were "gems."
"They kept me well informed and kept me supplied with raisins, dried fruits and books," he said.
Chrissie Russell also reserved special mention for the 'amazing' community of Woodbridge in Tasmania which has rallied around her family during the past three months.
Discussing conditions in Russian prison, Colin explained that he had "lost a few kilos," but it had given him ample time "thinking about friends, thinking about the campaign, thinking about the Arctic, thinking about the world."
Reflecting on future prospects Colin stated:
"I've been doing it for 14 years, so I'm not going to stop what I know best. No regrets... I'm trying to give a future to our kids and our grandkids. We all need to stand together for that."
"It's going to be an oil rush in the Arctic, I think it's crazy, the known reserves we have now are enough to throw us over two degrees."
Colin has also expressed concern over the fate of the Greenpeace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise.
"I'm still worried about our ship, the Arctic Sunrise, which remains under Russian control in defiance of international law," he said. "I feel it is not over till the Arctic Sunrise is also released.”
The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.
PLEASE NOTE: Colin Russell, his wife Chrissie and daughter Madeliene would like to thank the Australian media for their support during his time of illegal imprisonment in Russia and is looking forward to resuming his private life in Tasmania. He requests that media do not seek to contact him or his family directly and instead contact Greenpeace. He will not be immediately available for interview.
Contact:
James Lorenz Greenpeace Communications Manager: +61 (0) 400 376 021.
Greenpeace Press Desk: +61 (0) 418 408 683
Greenpeace International picture desk: +31 20 718 24 71
Greenpeace International video desk: +31 20 718 24 72