ILYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images
- Numerous countries have detained or expelled suspected Russian spies in recent months.
- Putin's regime arrested a US reporter with the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges this week.
- Experts told NBC News said Putin could be using Evan Gershkovich's detention for leverage.
Earlier this week, Russian authorities detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich after he was accused of "espionage in the interests of the American government." The arrest comes after several countries detained or expelled hundreds of suspected Russian spies in the preceding weeks and months.