Russian man says he was removed from Delta US domestic flight ‘for being an invader of Crimea’

A Russian citizen has claimed he was removed from a domestic American flight after another passenger complained the man had occupied Crimea.

In a Facebook post, Andrei Yeomin said Delta Air Lines removed him from the flight "for being a Russian citizen."

"Got kicked out from the plane Delta airlines!!!! Seattle Atlanta. Despite the fact of having platinum membership with the sky team alliance," Mr Yeryomin wrote on Facebook.

"Flight 1588. For being Russian citizen. Not kidding."

He added: "Passenger next to me refused to fly with me because according to him I was an occupant of Crimea as well as other Russian citizens. WTF.”

Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation in 2014 in a move seen by much of the international community as illegal.

Mr Yeryomin said as a result he was forced to get a much later flight.

"God bless America," he said. "Time to go home after 22 years of living here lol.”

The Russian Embassy in Washington said it was investigating.

However, Delta Air Lines dismissed Mr Yeryomin's allegations.

In a statement to the state-run RIA Novosti agency, Delta Air Lines said saying Mr Yeremin had not been allowed to board the plane because he had been late to the flight and had then broken through closed doors.

The statement said: “He was interrogated by law enforcement for breaking security rules and was then booked for a later flight to Atlanta."