Trevor Reed, a former US Marine who was held under wrongful detention in Russia for nearly three years prior to his release in a prisoner swap, has sustained injuries while participating in combat in Ukraine, a source informed CNN on Tuesday.
Evacuated to Germany for Medical Care
After his release through a prisoner exchange in April 2022, Reed found himself in the midst of Ukraine’s battle against Russia. Following his injury, Reed was transferred to a hospital in Kyiv and subsequently evacuated to Germany to receive advanced medical care. The specific conditions that led to Reed’s injuries remain unclear.
Jonathan Franks, a spokesperson for Reed’s family, refrained from commenting on the matter. The initial disclosure of this news was made by The Messenger.
Reed: From Wrongful Detention in Russia to the Battlefield of Ukraine
Reed’s case adds to the growing number of Americans injured while supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, despite the US State Department’s consistent warnings against American citizens traveling to the country. Reed’s journey to the Ukrainian battlefield followed a controversial stint in a Russian prison. He was apprehended in Moscow in the summer of 2019 on intoxication charges and later sentenced in July 2020 to nine years behind bars for supposedly endangering the “life and health” of Russian police officers during an altercation. Reed and his family vehemently refuted these charges, leading to his categorization as wrongfully detained by the US State Department.
Reed’s Release Amid Health Concerns
After months of concerted efforts by the US government, Reed’s release from Russian custody in April 2022 was secured through a prisoner exchange. The swap involved Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian national convicted of plotting to import cocaine. Reed’s release was deemed especially crucial due to rising worries over his health.
