Last week, a US soldier was detained in Russia, a US Army the spokesperson said in a statement.
Soldier Sergeant Major. According to four US officials, Gordon Black was based in South Korea and traveled to Russia on his own, not on official business.
He had completed his military service, and on his way back to the United States, he made a side trip to Vladivostok, Russia, to visit a woman he was romantically involved with, authorities said. They added that he went there without the permission of his superiors and is currently being held in a pre-trial detention center.
Officials said the soldier was accused of stealing from the woman. It was not immediately clear if it was the woman he was visiting.
US Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith said in a statement that the soldier was detained on Thursday.
Smith said the soldier was arrested in Vladivostok “on charges of criminal trespass”.
“The Russian Federation notified the US State Department of the criminal arrest under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” Smith said. “The Army has notified his family and the US State Department is providing the Soldier with appropriate consular support in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was “deeply troubled” by reports of the detention of a soldier in Russia.
“Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage,” McCall said A post shared on X. “Warning to all Americans – Russia is not safe to travel to, as State Department says.”
Current travel guide The US State Department restricts the travel of citizens to Russia. “Be cautious because of the risk of illegal detentions,” according to a State Department adviser. The Pentagon too It restricts the travel of personnel of the Ministry of Defense.
Black is one of a number of Americans detained in Russia, including several civilians.
Arrests of Americans in Russia have increased as relations between the two countries have sunk to their lowest level since the Cold War, The Associated Press informed. According to AP, the US has accused Russia of targeting Americans and using them as bargaining chips.
Among the most famous US citizens detained is Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. He was arrested last Marchand former Sea Paul Whelan, who was arrested in 2018. The US government said both Gershkovich and Whelan were wrongfully imprisoned.
WNBA star Brittney Griner spent 10 months in Russian penal colonies on drug-related charges was released one a rare prisoner exchange For Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in 2022.