An American soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, was arrested in Russia last week and is currently being held in a pretrial detention facility. The arrest came after Black flew to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to visit his girlfriend. However, he was detained following accusations of theft made by his girlfriend to Russian police.
The U.S. Army confirmed that Black did not have proper clearance for international travel, which is required by Pentagon policy for all service members. The State Department strongly advises against travel to Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and threats to U.S. security.
According to Russian authorities, Black's girlfriend reported him to the police, alleging that cash had gone missing after he stayed with her in Vladivostok. As a result, Black was arrested at a hotel in the city and is now facing potential imprisonment for up to five years if convicted.
Black, an infantry soldier who enlisted in the Army in 2008, was on leave from his base in South Korea and was supposed to return to Fort Cavazos in Texas. Instead, he traveled to Russia without authorization, raising questions about his intentions.
The U.S. Army is conducting an administrative investigation into the incident, while Black's family has been notified of his arrest. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has also been informed of the situation.
This arrest adds to the list of Americans currently detained in Russia, including individuals like corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The U.S. government has been working to secure the release of these individuals.
Black's case is reminiscent of a previous incident where an American soldier sprinted into North Korea, resulting in his expulsion and subsequent charges of desertion. The situation highlights the complexities of international travel and the potential legal consequences for military personnel.
