A U.S. Army sergeant stationed in Korea, Gordon D. Black, has been detained in Russia after being accused of stealing from a woman in Vladivostock. He was in the process of changing duty stations from Korea back to Fort Cavazos (Ft. Hood) in the U.S. at the time of his arrest. While the details of how he ended up in Russia are unclear, it is known that he was not there on official travel. The National Security Council has acknowledged the case but has not provided further information at this time. NBC News first reported the soldier’s detention in Russia over the weekend.
The U.S. government has been working to secure the release of two other Americans who are currently being held in Russian custody on what is believed to be trumped-up charges. Paul Whelan, a former Marine, has been imprisoned since 2018 on espionage charges, which the U.S. and his family maintain are false. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020. Additionally, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was jailed in March 2023 on espionage charges that are similarly viewed as baseless. The State Department has said that Russia rejected a significant proposal for the release of these individuals in December. Due to safety concerns, the U.S. has been advising Americans to avoid travel to Russia and recommended that those already in the country depart immediately.
An updated travel advisory issued in September highlighted the risks associated with traveling to Russia, warning that American citizens could be targeted for detention by Russian authorities with limited assistance available from the U.S. Embassy. The State Department reaffirmed its commitment to providing appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens detained abroad and reiterated the urgency for those in Russia to leave without delay. The situation underscores the ongoing tension in U.S.-Russia relations and the challenges faced by American citizens in Russia. Additional reporting by journalists Camilla Schick and Arden Farhi contributed to the understanding of the events surrounding the detention of the U.S. Army sergeant.
The State Department emphasized the continued danger posed to Americans in Russia and stressed the need for caution and immediate departure from the country for those who are there. Consular officers work to aid U.S. citizens detained abroad, but the limitations of diplomatic assistance in countries like Russia underscore the importance of following travel advisories and heeding warnings issued by the U.S. government. The detention of the U.S. Army sergeant in Russia is part of a larger pattern of Americans being targeted by Russian authorities, highlighting the complex and sometimes precarious situation faced by citizens of one country in another. The ongoing efforts to secure the release of the detained individuals reflect the challenges of navigating diplomatic and legal processes in global affairs. More information may be released as the situation develops further.
