A U.S. soldier has been arrested and is being held in Russia, U.S. officials confirmed Monday.
According to reports, the unnamed soldier traveled to Russia for personal, rather than official, reasons and was stationed in South Korea. NBC Newsfirst reported on the detention.
The unidentified soldier is reportedly accused of stealing things from a woman.
White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed that the Biden administration was aware of the report, but declined to comment further.
“I can’t say much about this right now,” Kirby told reporters at a regular White House briefing, referring further questions to the Pentagon.
The Pentagon referred the Post to the Army, which did not immediately respond to inquiries.
American military personnel are required to notify their chain of command before leaving their duty station. To legally enter Russia, an enemy of the United States, soldiers would have needed permission from the Pentagon.
The State Department warns American citizens living in Russia to “immediately leave” the country, putting them at risk of a Level 4 “travel ban” following the Kremlin’s two-year war against Ukraine and increased aggression against Americans in the country. A recommendation has been issued.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested by Russian authorities on suspicion of espionage in March 2023 and is currently in custody.
Former Marine Paul Whelan was arrested on December 28, 2018, and charged with espionage while in Moscow for a friend’s wedding. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in June 2020.
Women’s basketball star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison in December 2022 in exchange for the United States releasing an arms dealer, the so-called “Merchant of Death,” from federal prison.
Griner had been arrested at a Moscow airport in February last year on drug-related charges.
Additional reporting by Caitlin Doornbos.
