One Rumor Is True - Russian Diplomats Staying at UAA Dorms [UpDATED]

At the protest this afternoon [see pics in the previous post], someone said that they heard that Russian diplomats were staying in UAA (University of Alaska Anchorage) dorms because of the shortage of hotel rooms - August is part of the summer peak tourist season.  

So when I got home, I did a blog post with pictures of the protest, had dinner, then biked over to UAA dorms.  Even though it had started raining, I figured the bike gave me easier access.  

I go this way on my bike frequently, but they never have the lights on.  And so at about 10pm it's getting dusky.  

As I approached the building to the left two young men were walking and I asked if they'd heard anything about Russians being in the dorms.  Oh yes.  Not this one, but East - just around the corner - and some on the other side.  

So a minute later I'm approaching East.  

Looks pretty quiet.  I pull up to the front door.  There's someone sitting at a reception like desk.  The door isn't locked, but there's a second set of doors and as I try to pull it open - it is locked - I see a campus police car outside and a campus police officer is asking me what I'm doing.  I tell him I heard that Russians were staying at the dorms.  He didn't exactly say yes, but he did say I couldn't be there and he wanted to see my ID.  I gave him my Wolfcard (the UAA mascot is the Seawolf and a Wolfcard is an a campus ID card) that shows I'm a professor emeritus.  He asked me if I had a real ID (that's not exactly what he said, but that's how I took it) and I gave him my drivers license.  He asked what I did at the University.  (I just looked at the card again now and it only says "Emeritus" and most people don't know what that is.)  

In the conversation he also said to stay away from the Alaska Airlines Center.  "You mean people are sleeping there?" I asked.  (It's a sports center with a big basketball court, training rooms, and I'm not sure what all else is there.  I hope ICE doesn't read this and get ideas.)  The campus police officer - his name was right there above his pocket and he wasn't wearing a mask, and when he figured I was pretty harmless, he got pleasant and smiled a few times - declined to go into specifics.  

My next destination was the Alaska Airlines Center.  I had no need to get close, but just wanted to get a look.  

[UPDATE August 15, 2025, 1:02am

Here's a video of what looks very much like the inside the Alaska Center apparently by a Russian journalist. (I can only understand "President Trump") posted by a Ukrainian an hour ago.

❗️🇷🇺Russian Propaganda Journalists Are Housed in a Local Stadium in 🇺🇸Alaska Because All the Hotels Are Full Russians Complain of ‘Spartan Conditions’

[image or embed]

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@militarynewsua.bsky.social) August 14, 2025 at 11:26 PM]

Nothing unusual from this distance.  Then back through where the other dorms are, but didn't see any signs of anything unusual.  UAA student looking people were going into one of the dorms. 

These two pictures show both sides of the street.  Nothing unusual.  

And then as I started back, I ran into the two students I'd seen at the beginning and told them their info was good and my adventure with the campus police.  One then said something like, "The email we got didn't mention the Alaska Airlines Center.  So I asked if he could sen me the email.   

August 13, 2025

Dear Resident, 

We are informing you of an increased presence of law enforcement and diplomats on the residential campus in advance of the U.S.-Russia summit being hosted in Anchorage Friday, Aug.15.  

This week, representatives from the U.S. and Russian governments will be housed in UAA’s residential facilities due to a lack of capacity in Anchorage hotels. While the summit will not be held on campus, residents should expect increased traffic and security beginning Wednesday, Aug.13 and through the weekend. Students with meal plans should also anticipate an increase in the number of patrons in the Creekside Eatery during this time. 

We are working to minimize the impact of the summit on the residential community. At this time, we do not anticipate that the presence of the delegates and law enforcement will restrict traffic or access to any campus facilities. Should that change, we will  communicate that information to you as soon as possible. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this evolving situation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Department of Residence Life at (907) 751-7202 or via email at uaa_residencelife@alaska.edu. 

Sincerely,

Ryan J. Hill 

Director of Residence Life

University of Alaska Anchorage

rjhill4@alaska.edu

David Weaver

Executive Director of Campus Services

University of Alaska Anchorage

dweaver@alaska.edu 

So American officials are in the dorms too!  I hope they can have cordial interactions on campus.  

And then, off to home with this confirmation of the rumor.  

Except that as I headed home I saw four men walking down the street from Tudor - there's a small mall there with several places to eat and a bar.  

I approached them and asked if they were Russians and here for the meeting.  "What meeting?"  Was he being coy or did he think I meant here on the street, not here in Anchorage.  But then he said, "Oh the meeting between Russia and the US? " 

Yes they were.  We talked a bit and they relaxed.  I told them that I'd heard Russians were in the dorms and that I'd come to check it out.  

I did ask permission to take the picture, but I realized I forgot to tell them I wanted to post it.  So I've blotted out their faces.  They were friendly and I don't want to get them in trouble, but I suspect blotting out the faces probably doesn't hide their identity much.  One spoke English.  And then told the others what I said.  They agreed to a photo.  I've met a lot of Russians over the years, but these were the first I've seen in Anchorage for the Putin-Trump talks. If any higher up Russian officials see this - really, we had a nice talk and this was part of international exchange.  Don't discipline them for this.  Thanks.