Russia Detains U.S. Army Soldier
TL/DR –
U.S. Army soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, has been detained by Russian authorities on charges of criminal misconduct during his return home to Texas from South Korea. This recent detention is part of a pattern of Americans being arrested and held in Russia, often indefinitely, on what U.S. officials claim are fabricated charges, further straining U.S.-Russia relations. The State Department has reiterated its warning to Americans against traveling to Russia in light of these incidents.
U.S. Army Soldier Detained in Russia, Likely Complicating Moscow-Washington Relations
Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, a U.S. Army soldier, is under Russian criminal detention, according to State and Defense Departments reports on Monday. This development further strains the tense relationship between Moscow and Washington. Black, 34, was returning to Fort Cavazos, Texas from South Korea when detained in Vladivostok on May 2. Russia duly notified the State Department of the soldier’s detention, respecting international agreements. NBC News first reported this arrest.
Family has been informed by the Army, with the U.S. Department of State extending appropriate consular support to the detained soldier, informed Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith. In light of the arrest, the U.S. government reiterated its advisory against American travel to Russia.
Continuation of a Pattern of Detaining Americans in Russia
This detainment follows a series of questionable charges leading to the arrests and indefinite detainment of Americans in Russia. These incidents have worsened the already sour US-Russia relations, with disagreements ranging from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Moscow’s alleged plans to deploy a nuclear weapon in space.
Other cases include Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter imprisoned on espionage charges, and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine serving a 16-year sentence on dubious espionage charges. Brittney Griner, a sports personality, was released after a 10-month detention only in a prisoner exchange for a Russian national convicted for conspiring against Americans.
Additionally, a dual Russian-U.S. citizen is facing potentially 20 years in prison for accusations of treason related to small-scale fund raising for Ukraine. More recently, another Army soldier Pvt. Travis T. King, was released after being detained by North Korean authorities, thanks to weeks of intense diplomacy.
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