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Wrong Turn Lands Russian Women at US Military Base
28 Jan
Summary
- Two Russian women drove onto Camp Pendleton by mistake.
- Their navigation app directed them onto the military base.
- They were detained and now face deportation from the US.
Two Russian citizens, Kristina and Natasha from Samara, were reportedly detained and are facing deportation from the United States after accidentally driving onto Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California.
Last week, while on a road trip near San Diego, the two friends used a navigation app to locate a McDonald's. The application's directions led them directly onto the military base. They were apprehended by soldiers in a parking area and their vehicle was subsequently impounded.
As of January 26, 2026, US Immigration and Customs Service had custody of the two women, who are being held at a local deportation center awaiting repatriation. Consular officials from the Russian embassy are engaging with US immigration authorities to understand the full circumstances of the incident, although the US State Department has not yet formally notified diplomats.
Incidents of individuals inadvertently entering Camp Pendleton are reportedly not uncommon. The outcome for trespassers, whether they are simply turned away or arrested, appears to depend on the discretion of the military personnel on duty.
