US Army staff sergeant detained in Russia amid criminal charges

In Vladivostok, Russia, an American Army soldier has been detained. The non-commissioned officer is accused of robbing a woman, NBC News reported. US Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith confirmed the capture of the soldier.

As Smith stated in a press release for the media, Russia notified the US State Department of the soldier's detention on May 2 in Vladivostok in connection with criminal charges. However, the soldier's identity and details of the case were not disclosed. The White House confirmed the information but declined to comment.

According to NBC News, the individual detained is a staff sergeant (warrant officer) of the US Army who was stationed in South Korea and is accused of committing theft against a woman.

The Associated Press reports that he was "in the process of returning" to the United States after completing his mission in Korea, but instead of returning to the USA, he went to the Russian Federation.

Under similar circumstances in 2022, Private Travis King of the US Army fled to North Korea, running from potential charges in the USA. However, the motivation of the non-commissioned officer detained in Vladivostok remains unknown.

The soldier is one of several Americans in jails and prisons in Russia, including journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsou Kurmasheva, former Marine Paul Whelan, and those imprisoned on drug-related charges - teacher Mark Fogel and musician Travis Leake.

Also in custody is a 32-year-old dual citizen of the USA and Russia, Ksenia Havana, for donating money to a foundation aiding Ukraine.