Former NBA legend Dennis Rodman, who has developed relationships with world leaders such as Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in recent years, said he's headed to Russia to help push for the prison release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.
"I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl," Rodman told NBC News over the weekend, without divulging whether the international blessing came from United States or Russia officials. "I'm trying to go this week."
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and the military conflict has been ongoing ever since. As such, the State Department has issued a travel advisory for American citizens in Russia, along with those pondering a trip to Moscow.
Earlier this month, Griner received a nine-year prison sentence in Russia after pleading guilty to charges of drug possession and smuggling. In February, Griner was allegedly caught at a Russian airport with vaporizer cartridges containing hashish oil.
