Kalob Byers, the 28-year-old American citizen who had been detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges earlier this month, has been released, according to a statement from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Speaking to Russia’s RBK news agency, Peskov confirmed the release and indicated that discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding broader relations could follow soon.
“We also expect that on Tuesday we will be able to talk about restoring the entire range of Russian-American relations,” Peskov remarked. “Certain events can be viewed in this context.”
Byers’ mother had previously shared on social media that she believed her son had been released into the custody of the American Embassy in Moscow. She also told ABC News she was hopeful that he would be on a flight back to the U.S. by Monday.
Byers was detained earlier this month in Russia, facing accusations of drug smuggling. The resolution of his case has sparked attention amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with both countries navigating complex diplomatic waters. The release of Byers could potentially pave the way for future discussions about improving Russian-American relations.
US Embassy on Novinsky Boulevard Moscow. Picture on Wikimedia by Gennady Grachev CC-BY-2.0
