US national arrested in Moscow for 'hooliganism' as tensions with Russia explode

An American tourist visiting Russia has been placed under administrative arrest for 10 days on "petty hooliganism" charges.

William Russell Nykum had reportedly been in the country for a holiday and was staying with friends.

A source told local broadcaster Ren TV that Nikum allegedly disappeared after a night out on May 2 claiming he had been kidnapped when he reunited with his pals.

The source said: "He got drunk, had a fight with his friends in a bar. He said that he had been kidnapped, but he just left in a taxi.

"Then he broke the window at the children’s library, climbed inside and fell asleep."

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, CCTV footage captured a partially-naked Nycum allegedly breaking into a children's library.

He is the second American to be taken into Russian custody as the US Army confirmed a soldier was detained last week.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was accused of stealing after travelling to Russia to meet a woman he was reportedly in a relationship with.

Black, who had recently finished his deployment in South Korea, headed to Russia while on his way back to the US, and without asking permission from his superiors.

The US soldier is currently being held in pretrial confinement.

MORE TO FOLLOW...

US Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith said Black was arrested in Vladivostok "on charges of criminal misconduct."

Smith said: "The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

"The Army notified his family and the US Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia.

"Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time."

The arrests come as relations between Moscow and Washington continue to grow fraught over US support to Ukraine in its war with Russia.