American Soldier Arrested in Russia: Department of Defense Responds
An American soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of theft and will be detained for two months, a Russian district court announced on Tuesday. Black, who was not authorized by the Department of Defense to travel to Russia, left his unit in South Korea nearly a month ago and flew to Vladivostok for personal reasons.
The court accused Black of committing secret theft of a citizen’s property, causing significant psychological damage. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the case is not related to politics or espionage, but rather a domestic crime. This arrest comes at a time of heightened tension between the US and Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting the history of Russian President Vladimir Putin holding American citizens hostage. Black, who enlisted in the Army in 2008 as an infantryman, has previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the situation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with traveling to certain countries. The Department of Defense is closely monitoring the case, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks.
