Marine veteran Trevor Reed, who was wrongfully imprisoned in Russia for three years before being freed as part of a prisoner swap in 2022, has been hurt while participating in the conflict in Ukraine.
The US State Department confirmed this development, stating that Reed is currently receiving medical care in Germany.
Marine Veteran Trevor Reed was Injured in Ukraine
Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed the situation during a news conference, revealing that Trevor Reed had been transported to Germany by a nongovernmental organization.
However, no details were provided regarding how Reed sustained his injuries or the severity of his condition.
A US defense official confirmed that Reed is being treated at a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
Patel emphasized that during his time in Ukraine, Reed was not acting on behalf of the US government.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured that the US teams are doing everything possible to bring the imprisoned Americans back home, but refrained from commenting on the potential impact of Reed’s situation on the negotiations.
Privately, a US official expressed extreme concern about how this development could be perceived in Moscow.
Trevor Reed’s journey began in the summer of 2019 when he was arrested in Moscow on allegations of assaulting an officer during a night of heavy drinking.
Despite denials from Reed, his Russian girlfriend, and his family, he was sentenced to nine years in prison.
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The Ongoing Risks in Ukraine
However, he was finally released in April 2022 as part of an exchange deal for a Russian drug trafficker.
Reed’s recent involvement in Ukraine raises questions about when he traveled there and the circumstances under which he joined the fighting.
The State Department has long cautioned US citizens against traveling to Ukraine, particularly to participate in conflicts, due to significant risks, including capture, physical harm, or even death.
Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges, expressed sympathy for Reed’s situation and acknowledged the challenges faced by released hostages as they try to rebuild their lives after captivity.
After his own release, Trevor Reed actively advocated for the liberation of others, including Paul Whelan and basketball star Brittney Griner, who was also imprisoned in Russia.
Fortunately, Griner was freed in a separate exchange between Russia and the US in December.
Before his wrongful detention, Trevor Reed served in the Marines, including a stint as a member of a Marine unit that provided support to then-Vice President Joe Biden at Camp David, Maryland. He was discharged from the Marines in 2016.
As the world awaits updates on Trevor Reed’s condition and contemplates the implications of his involvement in Ukraine, his story stands as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks faced by those entangled in geopolitical disputes and conflicts.
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