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In his words

An appeal from a penal colony

Michael "Travis" Leake, a U.S. Air Force veteran detained in Russia, records a video appeal to President Trump from IK-6, a Russian penal colony.

Recorded at IK-6 over the summer of 2026. The transcript below is selected excerpts, not a complete transcript.

In his own words
I am sorry I am not a journalist. I am sorry I am not a basketball player. I am sorry I am not somebody that is important. But what I am not is a drug dealer, and there is no reason for me to be here.

Michael "Travis" Leake, IK-6, summer 2026

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The people holding Travis are watching whether America remembers his name.

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Key moments
Not a public figureI am not a journalist. I am not a basketball player.
No reason to be hereWhat I am not is a drug dealer.
Hostage-takingThe most obvious hostage-taking case.
Almost 1,100 daysAlmost 1,100 days.
Bring me homeCan you bring me home?
Transcript

Selected excerpts

I am sorry I am not a journalist. I am sorry I am not a basketball player. I am sorry I am not somebody that is important.

But what I am not is a drug dealer, and there is no reason for me to be here.

This is probably the most obvious hostage-taking case there is.

I have been sitting in prison for almost 1,100 days and nobody has even reviewed my case.

President Trump, can you bring me home?

Selected excerpts. Timecodes refer to the full recording.