US soldier was arrested in Russia last week, officials say

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

An American soldier was detained in Russia last week on suspicion of theft and is currently being held in pre-trial detention, according to two US officials.

The soldier, a staff sergeant, was arrested on May 2 by Russian authorities, the officials said. He was stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia of his own volition, they said.

The US Embassy in Moscow is seeking consular access to the soldier and has informed his family of his detention, the officials said.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/06/politics/us-soldier-arrested-russia/index.html

[getagrip_already]

1. You have to be a friggin moran to travel to russia

As an American in general and a soldier specifically.

Unless you have state department credentials, you are asking to be arrested.

Dumb ass.

[Aussie105]

2. The 'soldier of fortune' story?

We had an Australian citizen, a local lad, go to Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hicks

Captured and was in Guantanamo Bay detention camp from 2002 until 2007.

Saw him and his father at a local venue after his release.
Everyone gave them the side eye, they looked very uncomfortable.

[ExciteBike66]

3. Can confirm there are plenty of crazies in the Army...

Remember the guy who sprinted into North Korea from his tour group?

[orangecrush]

4. He might have been passing information

And did something to piss them off.

Or they knew our military was on to him and detained him to keep him from telling our military how much he gave them.

[Beowulf42]

5. Baffled

What business does an American soldier have being in Russia, when it is such an obvious instance where Russia can trump up charges and embarrass this country? Why hasn't the military barred any serving soldier from entering Russia.

[tornado34jh]

6. What business did this guy have being in Russia?

Never mind being a military soldier, I wouldn't even go there for a tourist visa right now given Putin's government. At this point, unless you are a state government person (e.g. diplomat, president) you really have no business being there and are going there at your own risk. Even if you know the laws of Russia, don't assume that is what will actually occur.

[Kennah]

7. I've read stories about the KGB back in the day

They often literally would just pick the locks of a hotel room of a US military officer, intelligence operative, or government official they were trying to turn and put a naked woman in the bed. A guy walks in, sees a naked woman already in his room, and assumes it's room service, so he enjoys the gift.

I might not be smart, but I ain't stupid.

[maxsolomon]

8. don't volunteer to be Putin's hostage, dude.

that must have been some honey pot - to go AWOL into Russia.