**Russian Court Sentences US Citizen to 15 Years for Alleged Espionage**
A Russian court has convicted a US citizen of espionage and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Eugene Spector, 52, was already serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for bribery when he was charged with spying.
The Moscow City Court found Spector guilty of being a spy after a closed-door trial on December 24. His previous charge for bribery was added to the new sentence, bringing his total time in prison to 15 years. He was also fined approximately $140,500.
Spector was accused of mediating bribes for a former Russian aide in 2020 and charged with spying in August 2023. However, the details of the espionage charges against him have not been made public.
**Many US Nationals Held in Russia**
This is not the first time a US national has been held in Russia on espionage charges. Many are currently awaiting trial or serving lengthy sentences. Washington has accused Moscow of detaining US citizens to gain leverage for future prisoner swaps.
In August, 24 detainees were exchanged between Russia and Western countries in a historic prisoner swap that included US journalist Evan Gershkovich. The US State Department has warned Americans against traveling to Russia, saying they “may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials.”
**Ukraine News**
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a Ukrainian-born teenager was found dead after allegedly committing suicide near his foster home in Russia on January 10.
Additionally, a Ukrainian airbase was hit by a Russian ballistic missile, and several US companies have been awarded contracts to produce military equipment for the country.