Rumours of a major prisoner release from Belarus had been swirling for a couple of days.
But no one would reveal the names on the list, or the exact number, until everyone was safely out, finally free.
In total, 123 political prisoners have been released, including some of the best-known names among Belarusian opposition politicians, human rights activists and journalists.
Maria Kolesnikova, the protest leader with a famous red-lipsticked smile, was on the release list.
A video of her jumping for joy and hugging other former prisoners, overjoyed to be reunited, was soon flying around social media. Then came another, on a bus out of Belarus, where she thanked everyone who'd helped bring this moment about.
It's a feeling of incredible happiness to see those who are dear to me, to hug them and realise we are all free, Masha, as she's best known, told the camera, her lips already painted red again.
The first sunset of her freedom was a thing of great beauty, she said.
But I also think of those who are not yet free and I await the moment when we can all embrace, when all are free.
Out too is Viktor Babaryka, a banker who tried to run for president in 2020 but was locked up before the elections even began.
The Nobel Peace prize winner Ales Bialiatski has also been released from a 10-year sentence.
All were locked up for their opposition to the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko, whose security forces crushed the mass protests of 2020 with brutal force...
The dozens of prisoners Lukashenko agreed to let go were always expected to come here to Vilnius, Lithuania, where a crowd of friends, relatives and fellow activists gathered outside the US embassy in the freezing cold to greet them...
Amidst the festivities, however, there remains a strong call to action against the regime, as activists remind the world not to forget the many still behind bars.
