A former US Marine, Trevor Reed, who had previously spent more than two years in a Russian prison, has been injured while fighting in Ukraine, the State Department confirmed.
Reed was released from Moscow's custody in April 2022 as part of a prisoner swap and had chosen to travel to Ukraine independently to join the fight.
The State Department emphasised that Reed was not acting on behalf of the US government during his involvement in the conflict. However, he sustained unspecified injuries and has been transported to Germany for medical treatment with the assistance of a private, non-governmental organisation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned American citizens against traveling to Ukraine and engaging in the ongoing hostilities. "It underscores why we continue to call on Americans not to travel to Ukraine and not to fight there," Blinken said during a news conference in Tonga.
Despite Reed's situation, Blinken remains committed to efforts to bring home two other Americans held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan.
The circumstances surrounding Reed's injury have raised concerns about the involvement of foreign volunteers in the conflict. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stressed the government's explicit warnings against traveling to Ukraine and participating in fighting. "We have been extraordinarily, extraordinarily explicit in telling people not to travel to Ukraine, let alone participate in fighting," she said.
When asked about the potential impact of Reed's case on the release of other Americans held in Russia, Jean-Pierre emphasised that the situations were distinct and not directly related.
Trevor Reed's journey has been marked by remarkable twists, from being a university student to a prisoner in Russia and now a volunteer in Ukraine's struggle for independence. However, his injuries shed light on the dangers faced by those who choose to engage in the conflict firsthand.
While the US government maintains its commitment to securing the release of detained Americans, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in such endeavors.
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