After several months of secret negotiations, Navy Veteran Taylor Dudley is heading home to America after being imprisoned in Russia. What was going to be a trip to enjoy a music festival in Poland following global disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the music scene ended up being a nearly year-long detainment at the hands of Russian authorities. Here’s what we know so far, as this is a developing story. Read next:Bringing Veteran Paul Whelan Home Continues to Become More Complex

Taylor Dudley’s Detainment Not Deemed Wrongful

As reported by CNN, Navy Veteran Taylor Dudley has been released from Russian custody, and the United States does not believe the detainment was wrongful. Although it’s not completely clear as to why the Lansing, Michigan, native crossed the border, it appears border police guarding Kaliningrad detained Dudley after he left Poland. If you haven’t brushed up on your geography in a bit, Kaliningrad is a small territory bordered by the Baltic Sea, Lithuania, and Poland. One unfamiliar with the region could theoretically be mistaken, but considering this happened in April 2022, during the beginning of Russia’s Ukrainian invasion, borders were at high alert throughout Europe. The release comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, specifically with Russia and the highly politicized return of Brittney Griner, who was traded in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. Public outcry was both jubilation and resentment considering many are looking to pressure the White House to do more for Marine Veteran Paul Whelan, who is also detained.

Bill Richardson Does It Again

The Richardson Center for Global Engagement helps foster peace by working through diplomacy channels and engaging with countries however possible. As a group that features Bill Richardson in its leadership, the center has helped foster the release of American prisoners before. This includes working to help bring home Griner, Whelan, and the successful campaign earlier in 2022 in which Marine Veteran Trevor Reed would find himself returning home as a result of the group’s efforts. Now, the center has helped facilitate the return of Taylor Dudley, an initiative that was done in secret under the direction of Dudley’s family. Speaking on the matter, the family spokesperson, Jonathan Franks, said the following statement on the non-profit’s efforts and the release: “Earlier today (January 12, 2023), Russian authorities released American Citizen Taylor Dudley, a 35-year-old Navy veteran, across the Polish border to Gov. Bill Richardson, his team, and a representative from the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, a release the Richardson Center worked on diligently and quietly for more than 6 months with significant assistance from the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, from Hostage U.S., and from the James Foley Foundation. The family will be forever grateful for the work of all three.” Later he added, “The past 9 months have been difficult ones for the family and they ask the media to respect their privacy and give them the space to welcome Taylor home.”

Taylor Dudley Is Home, Is Whelan Next?

Minus those working closely with the negotiations and the family, this is a bit of an odd situation with much less publicity by design. Of course, the family deserves privacy, but it’s a bit harder to say the focus shifts back to Paul Whelan if it never really left. Still, it won’t take long until more questions are asked and, potentially, hope will be gained. If the U.S. can bring back Dudley, a Veteran who deserves the help he received, when is it Whelan's turn? Taylor Dudley and Paul Whelan may have very different situations surrounding their detainments, but hopefully, Bill Richardson or the powers that be can continue to work something out. It’s difficult all the way around, but if these heroes were willing to risk their lives to keep us free, the least we can do is continue to get them out of a jam. Read next:These 10 Celebrities Have Been Impacted By the New Russia Sanctions