An American soldier, Gordon Black, was arrested in Russia after being stabbed by his Russian girlfriend during a fight that occurred in front of his ex-wife and young daughter. The incident took place during a video call while Black was stationed overseas in South Korea. The girlfriend, identified as Aleksandra Vashchuk, allegedly clawed at Black’s face and brandished a knife, causing him to bleed as his daughter looked on in distress.
The altercation between Black and Vashchuk, which resulted in violence and bloodshed, took place months before his arrest in Russia on theft charges in May 2023. Black, a staff sergeant stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, had traveled to Russia on personal business without the approval of the Army, violating Army regulations. His mother believes he was lured to Russia by Vashchuk and set up for the alleged theft of $100.
Black and his soon-to-be ex-wife Megan were in the process of finalizing their divorce when he was arrested. The couple met in 2014 and their relationship began to deteriorate in 2018, leading to Gordon filing for divorce shortly after relocating to South Korea. Megan first learned of Vashchuk’s existence in January 2022 when she saw social media posts referring to Black as the girlfriend’s husband. She was unaware of his presence in Russia and believed he was returning home to Texas after his South Korea tour ended.
Megan had been struggling to receive child support payments from Black until the Army intervened and began withholding money from his paychecks for child support. Despite attempts to contact Black for comment, neither he nor the Army responded to requests for statements. The incident involving Black’s arrest comes at a time when the US is working to secure the release of other detained individuals, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan.
The details of the violent confrontation between Black and Vashchuk during the video call with his ex-wife and daughter shed light on the tumultuous relationship that preceded Black’s arrest in Russia. The involvement of Vashchuk, who was allegedly sent back to Russia from South Korea, adds further complexity to the situation. The unresolved issues in Black’s personal life, including his impending divorce and custody arrangements, may have contributed to the events that led to his detention.
The allegations of theft against Black, stemming from an argument in Vladivostok, highlight the legal challenges he now faces in Russia. The murky circumstances surrounding his trip to Russia, his relationship with Vashchuk, and the resulting violent incident have brought attention to his case and prompted speculation about possible motives behind his arrest. As Black remains in pretrial confinement, the unfolding events raise questions about the complexity of international relationships and legal disputes, underscoring the need for diplomatic intervention and legal representation in navigating such challenging situations.
