By AP/KWMU
Moscow – Russian officials have apologized for holding Illinois' junior U.S. Senator for several hours Sunday at an airport in Siberia.
Obama and Indiana Senator Richard Lugar had spent three days in Russia, visiting sites where warheads are stored before they're destroyed.
A U.S. embassy spokesperson says both men were held at the airport, but later allowed to leave. It's not known why they were held.
Border guards refused to let their military flight take off. The guards had demanded that they be allowed to inspect the American plane. But the senators were eventually allowed to leave after the military flight's diplomatic status was verified.
Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement today (Monday) saying they "regret the misunderstanding that arose."