The detention of a U.S. Army soldier in Vladivostok, Russia, has brought renewed attention to the fraught relations between the United States and Russia. Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested by Russian authorities on allegations of criminal misconduct, specifically accused of theft.
The soldier may have been traveling to meet with a woman, possibly a girlfriend, according to reporting from Politico, and was arrested May 2. His detention was confirmed by an Army spokesperson, who stated, “The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Army notified his family, and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia.”
The soldier’s mother, Melody Jones, revealed in an interview that Black was on a two-week leave from South Korea when he went to Russia. He was questioned by authorities at the airport for nine hours upon arrival. “He said he was when he got off the plane, that he was pulled to the back in this room for nine hours and questioned why he was there,” Jones said.
Tensions between the U.S. and Russia remain high amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. A State Department official confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is seeking to gain consular access to the detained soldier but has not yet been allowed to meet with him The official also said the soldier is being held in pretrial detention through July 1, but it’s likely that will be extended.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, expressed deep concern over the arrest. “Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage,” McCaul said. “A warning to all Americans—as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia.”
The case of Black follows several high-profile detentions of Americans in Russia, including Paul Whelan, a former Marine imprisoned on espionage charges since 2018, and Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in March 2023.
Furthermore, previous incidents involving U.S. soldiers, such Travis King fleeing into North Korea and later being returned to face desertion charges. Current travel guidance from the U.S. State Department strongly discourages travel to Russia for U.S. citizens due to the risk of wrongful detentions. The Defense Department also restricts travel for Pentagon personnel.
Relevant articles:
– Russia Detains US Soldier over Alleged Criminal Misconduct, Military, 05/08/2024
– Mother of US soldier detained in Russia says he was visiting girlfriend before arrest, ABC News, 05/07/2024
– U.S. soldier detained in Russia and accused of stealing, officials say, NBC News, 05/06/2024
– American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing from a girlfriend, US officials say, The Associated Press, 05/07/2024
– US soldier detained in Russia and accused of theft, Al Jazeera English, 05/07/2024