Trevor Reed, a former US Marine, has been sentenced by a Moscow court for fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. This news comes from Russia’s Investigative Committee, which says that Reed was sentenced to 14 and a half years in prison and is now on an international wanted list.
A Journey from Prison to the Battlefield
Before joining the fight in Ukraine, Reed had a tough time. He was released from a Russian prison in 2022 after a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. Reed was arrested in Moscow in 2019 for being drunk and causing trouble. A year later, he was convicted of assaulting police officers and sentenced to nine years behind bars.
In April 2022, he was freed in exchange for a Russian pilot, Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was serving time in the US for drug smuggling.
Joining the Fight
According to Russian authorities, Reed traveled to Ukraine in the spring or summer of 2023. He voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a mercenary on July 25. After getting military training and equipment, he participated in combat against Russian forces in a region called the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Injured in Action
Reports say that during his time fighting, Reed was injured in battle. He was evacuated to Germany after stepping on a landmine and suffering shrapnel wounds. This incident reportedly happened just weeks before he officially joined the Ukrainian military.
US Response
The US government has distanced itself from Reed’s actions in Ukraine. A State Department spokesperson clarified that Reed was not fighting on behalf of the US and had been advised against traveling to Ukraine. This raises questions about the responsibilities of American citizens fighting overseas.
A Growing Concern
Reed’s case is part of a larger trend. Recently, another American named Stephen Hubbard, who fought as a mercenary for Ukraine, was also sentenced to six years in prison by a Moscow court. Hubbard had been living in Ukraine since 2014 and signed a contract to fight for a local defense unit.
Trevor Reed’s journey from a troubled past in a Russian prison to a mercenary in Ukraine highlights the complex and dangerous choices some individuals make. As tensions continue between the US and Russia, his story serves as a reminder of the risks involved in joining foreign conflicts.
