US soldier detained in Russia on accusations of stealing

A US soldier has been arrested and detained in Russia, according to reports.

The man, traveled to the country alone from South Korea where he is stationed, NBCNews reported. A spokesperson later confirmed that he had been arrested after being accused of stealing from a woman, The Associated Press reported.

The soldier was arrested on 2nd May in Vladivostok, on the country’s east coast close to North Korea, on charges of criminal misconduct. The US Embassy in Moscow, over 5,000 miles from where he was detained, is reportedly in contact with the soldier’s family.

“The Russian Federation notified the US Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” US Army spokesperson, Cynthia O. Smith, told The Independent.

“The Army notified his family and the US Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”

White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby, told Political that the US was aware of the situation but did not comment further.

Moscow is holding multiple US citizens with a journalist and a dual-citizen among them. In late April, Wall Street Journal employee Evan Gershkovich was told he will remain in jail in Russia until at least the end of June. He is accused of espionage.

WNBA player Brittney Griner was also detained by Russia in 2022 on drug-related charges. She was finally released as part of a prisoner swap and has recently spoken of how desperate she felt.

Last year, Travis King, an American soldier stationed in South Korea, fled to North Korea when he faced disciplinary action. He was later detained by US officials.

Tensions have remained high between the United States and Russia in recent years, especially following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.