Russian tourists accused of trespassing on US military base – embassy
Two Russian women are facing deportation from the US after they reportedly took a wrong turn and accidentally drove onto Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, the Russian Embassy has said.
According to Russian media reports, the two friends, Kristina and Natasha from Samara, were on a road trip in the US last week. While driving near San Diego, they grew hungry and used a navigation app to find the nearest McDonald’s. The GPS directed them onto a route that led them directly onto the military base.
The women reportedly stopped in a parking area where they were detained by soldiers. Their car was impounded, and they have been in custody for at least three days, SHOT Telegram channel reported on Monday.
“According to the Immigration and Customs Service of the United States, as of January 26, it was granted custody of two female Russian citizens, detained after trespassing onto the territory of Camp Pendleton in California,” the Russian Embassy said on Tuesday. “At present, they are kept at a local deportation center pending repatriation.”
The embassy added that consular officials are in contact with US immigration authorities to clarify the circumstances of the incident. It also noted that the US State Department has still not formally notified diplomats of the Russian citizens’ detention.
Incidents of accidental trespassing at Camp Pendleton are a recurring issue, according to local sources cited by SHOT. Whether lost travelers are simply turned away or face arrest reportedly depends on the disposition of the military personnel on duty.
