“I’m happy this is finally over. So are the girls," said Colin. "Can’t wait to get back to normal: throw the stick for George the dog, mow the lawn, sleep on my own pillow. My whole life is waiting for me.”
Colin Russell is due to return to Hobart and his home on 2 January, with the departure marking the end of more than 100 days on Russian soil.
As of 3am EST, 15 of the Arctic 30 had departed Russia, with 11 more to exit over the coming days.
"There is a great sense of relief," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "But this relief is coupled with the knowledge that the Arctic is still under threat from reckless oil drilling and that the campaign must continue. However, right now, we're just delighted that Colin and the rest of the Arctic 30 are finally on their way home."
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.