Us Soldier Arrested In Russia On Suspicion Of Theft
An American soldier has been detained in Russia on suspicion of theft. The soldier, a staff sergeant, was arrested on May 2 by Russian authorities. He was stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia of his own volition. The US Embassy in Moscow is seeking consular access to the soldier and has informed his family of his detention. This is just one of several cases of Americans being detained in Russia in recent years.
I. American Soldier Detained in Russia
An American soldier has been detained in Russia on suspicion of theft. The soldier, a staff sergeant, was arrested on May 2 by Russian authorities. He was stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia of his own volition. The US Embassy in Moscow is seeking consular access to the soldier and has informed his family of his detention.This is not the first time an American soldier has been detained in Russia. In 2020, another soldier was detained after he crossed into North Korea and was immediately taken into custody. He was eventually released after intense diplomatic negotiations.The detention of American soldiers in Russia is a serious concern. The US government should do everything it can to secure their release.
| Name | Rank | Date of Detention |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Whelan | Former Marine | December 2018 |
| Evan Gershkovich | Wall Street Journal reporter | June 2022 |
| American soldier | Staff sergeant | May 2, 2023 |
II. Other Americans Detained in Russia
There are a number of Americans being held in Russia, including two who have been declared as wrongfully detained by the US State Department – Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
| Name | Rank | Date of Detention |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Whelan | Former Marine | December 2018 |
| Evan Gershkovich | Wall Street Journal reporter | June 2022 |
III. The Case of Pvt. Travis King
In July 2022, another soldier stationed in South Korea willingly crossed into North Korea where he was immediately detained. Pvt. Travis King had been on a border tour of a civilian area when he ran across the Joint Security Area (JSA) and into North Korea.
King was supposed to have boarded a flight back to the United States to face disciplinary procedures. But after Army escorts released him at a security checkpoint at Incheon International Airport near Seoul, King left the airport on his own.
| Name | Rank | Date of Detention |
|---|---|---|
| Travis King | Private | July 2022 |
It took weeks of secretive and intense diplomacy involving multiple countries to secure King’s release in September. He was charged with desertion in October.
IV. Final Thought
The detention of American citizens in Russia is a serious concern. The US government should do everything it can to secure their release. The cases of these detained Americans highlight the importance of diplomacy and cooperation between the US and Russia.
