U.S. Soldier Detained in Russia

WASHINGTON—A U.S. soldier was arrested in Russia after being charged with theft, the Pentagon said, the latest case of an American being detained by Russian authorities since the start of the war in Ukraine.

The soldier, an Army staff sergeant who hasn’t been identified, was arrested in the port city of Vladivostok, in eastern Russia on Thursday, according to officials, allegedly after he stole from a woman there.

“The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia,” the Army said in a statement that did not identify him. “Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”

The U.S. learned about the arrest after Russia notified the State Department, according to Army officials.

There are two Americans considered to be wrongfully detained in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan, a corporate security director and former U.S. Marine. Gershkovich was detained in 2023. He is being held on an allegation of espionage that he, the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Whelan was arrested in 2018 before the Ukraine invasion. Whelan and the U.S. government deny charges against him.

Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds dual U.S.-Russian citizenship and works for Prague-based Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was taken into custody in October on a charge of failing to register as a foreign agent. Kurmasheva has denied wrongdoing. Several other U.S. citizens are also in Russian custody, awaiting trial or serving prison sentences.

The Kremlin has denied that Russia is intentionally victimizing U.S. nationals.

It wasn’t clear why the soldier who was on leave had traveled to Russia or if he had permission to go there. He had finished a deployment in South Korea and was expected to relocate to a base in Texas, officials said.

The State Department advises Americans not to travel to Russia, citing a variety of reasons including the unpredictable consequences of Russia’s war with Ukraine and “the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials.” The advisory also warns of “the arbitrary enforcement of local law.”

U.S. military members who go on leave are generally expected to inform their superiors if they are traveling to a country considered a U.S. adversary or that is sensitive politically.

The case is reminiscent of the case of Travis King, an American soldier on leave in South Korea who crossed the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea without permission in 2023.

King had faced punishment by the U.S. Army and was expected to board a flight home, then inexplicably left the airport and made a run for the border, where he ran into North Korea. He was held for about two months in North Korea before being deported. There was no indication as yet the soldier detained in Russia faced any disciplinary action.

Write to Gordon Lubold at [email protected]