Ukrainian pilot detained in Russia Nadia Savchenko needs to be released, said spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State John Kirby.

"She needs to be released. We've said that all along. She's been detained for no good reason, and we want to see her released and sent home where she belongs," Kirby said in an interview posted on an official website of the U.S. Department of State on Thursday.

However, he didn't confirm Savchenko's hunger strike already announced, but adding that "we've certainly seen the press reports."

"That certainly doesn't make this any easier and certainly would – we want her released immediately regardless. But obviously, if she is, in fact, launching a hunger strike, then certainly now her health would be an added issue to increase the urgency on that. But she needs to be released," he stressed.

On March 4, Savchenko's lawyer Mark Feygin said his client has gone on a 'dry' hunger strike, which means she will also refuse water as well as food, despite remonstrations from her defense team.

"We tried to persuade her to stop her 'dry' hunger strike, but Nadia refused. She has not been drinking water for 24 hours already and intends to continue her hunger strike until she is returned to Ukraine. This is her main demand," Feygin said.

Savchenko has agreed to a doctor's visit, but has refused to undergo any tests, he said.