This video can not be played

US journalist Evan Gershkovich has told the BBC's Today programme about the 16 months when he was detained in Russia.

In his first UK broadcast interview, the Wall Street Journal correspondent said he realised he had been "lured into a trap" when masked men surrounded him at a restaurant in March 2023, and arrested him.

He was later sentenced to 16 years on espionage charges, but released in 2024 as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange.

He and his employer have always maintained that the charges were false, and following his arrest, then-US President Joe Biden said he had "no higher priority" than bringing Gershkovich home.

Read more on this story.

Watch: US journalist Evan Gershkovich describes being detained by Russian agents  Video, 00:02:17Watch: US journalist Evan Gershkovich describes being detained by Russian agents

Up Next. We're talking to US about Evan Gershkovich - Putin. Video, 00:02:53We're talking to US about Evan Gershkovich - Putin

Evan Gershkovich appears in Russian court. Video, 00:00:11Evan Gershkovich appears in Russian court

Watch: How did Burnham's speech go down in the conference hall? Video, 00:00:58Watch: How did Burnham's speech go down in the conference hall?

What happens next in the RAF Fairford investigation. Video, 00:01:15What happens next in the RAF Fairford investigation

Close-up look at Turner's 'ยฃ50m' Rome painting on show in the city. Video, 00:01:49Close-up look at Turner's 'ยฃ50m' Rome painting on show in the city

Watch: Luxury units uncovered inside an Indonesian prison. Video, 00:00:48Watch: Luxury units uncovered inside an Indonesian prison

Watch: Bangkok locals create floating market during floods. Video, 00:01:03Watch: Bangkok locals create floating market during floods

People escape historic Kyiv building hit by Russian drone. Video, 00:01:18People escape historic Kyiv building hit by Russian drone

Watch: Were the arrests near RAF Fairford 'pure luck'? Video, 00:01:32Watch: Were the arrests near RAF Fairford 'pure luck'?

Watch: BBC reports from the front-line of an escalating war in Yemen. Video, 00:01:02Watch: BBC reports from the front-line of an escalating war in Yemen

Watch: The ups and downs of SpaceX's 13 Starship test flights. Video, 00:01:31Watch: The ups and downs of SpaceX's 13 Starship test flights

Watch: Madonna and Taylor Swift win big at the MTV VMAs. Video, 00:00:58Watch: Madonna and Taylor Swift win big at the MTV VMAs