A US soldier was arrested in eastern Russia on charges of criminal misconduct, the US military said on Monday, a potential new flashpoint in relations between the countries already at a low point since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The soldier, who was not identified, was detained by Russian authorities in Vladivostok last Thursday, U.S. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said in a statement, which did not specify the nature of the charges. The military has notified the soldier’s family and the State Department is offering him consular support, she said.
“Given the sensitivity of this matter, we cannot provide additional details at this time,” Smith said.
