American military personnel apprehended in Russia recently
Last week, an American military member was apprehended in Russia under suspicion of theft and is presently in pre-trial detention, as confirmed by two US officials.
An American soldier was arrested in Russia last week on suspicion of theft and is now in pre-trial detention, as reported by two US officials.
One of the officials mentioned that the soldier’s name is Gordon Black. Although the US Army did not verify the soldier’s name, they mentioned that the soldier’s family has been informed.
A staff sergeant, who was stationed in South Korea, was arrested by Russian authorities on May 2, according to officials. The soldier had traveled to Russia on his own, the officials explained.
On Monday, an Army spokesperson confirmed that the soldier was detained by Russian authorities in Vladivostok for "criminal misconduct" charges.
"The U.S. Department of State has been informed by the Russian Federation about the criminal detention of a Soldier in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," stated Cynthia Smith, a spokesperson. The Soldier's family has been notified by the Army, and the U.S. Department of State is currently providing appropriate consular support in Russia. Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, further details cannot be disclosed at this time.
The timing of this arrest is significant, as tensions between the United States and Russia remain high amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. There are several Americans currently detained in Russia, including individuals such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, who have been declared as wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department.
The soldier decided to take a personal trip to Russia while stationed in South Korea, as confirmed by a US official. It's important to note that he was not AWOL during this time.
According to the same official, the soldier was planning to relocate to Ft. Cavazos in Texas at a later date. However, the official was unable to specify the exact date of the transfer.
NBC News was first to report the arrest.
A State Department official confirmed that a US citizen had been detained in Russia but would not provide further details.
“We have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas,” the spokesperson said.
The US Embassy in Moscow is seeking consular access to the soldier, the officials said.
The US government has issued multiple warnings advising American citizens against traveling to Russia. In February, following the arrest of dual Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina, John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, emphasized the risks faced by US citizens in Russia.
Kirby stated, "If you are a US citizen or hold a US passport, and you are thinking about traveling to Russia, we strongly advise against it. It is best to avoid visiting the country altogether."
Last July, another soldier stationed in South Korea willingly crossed into North Korea where he was immediately detained. Pvt. Travis King had been on a border tour of a civilian area when he ran across the Joint Security Area (JSA) and into North Korea.
King was supposed to have boarded a flight back to the United States to face disciplinary procedures. But after Army escorts released him at a security checkpoint at Incheon International Airport near Seoul, King left the airport on his own.
It was a lengthy process of behind-the-scenes negotiations with several countries to finally secure King's release in September. He had been charged with desertion just a month earlier.
Special thanks to CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood for their contributions to this report.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
Editor's P/S:
The arrest of an American soldier in Russia amidst heightened tensions over the Ukraine conflict highlights the risks faced by US citizens traveling to the country. The soldier's detention raises concerns about the safety and well-being of Americans in Russia and adds to the list of individuals wrongfully detained there. The US government's warnings against travel to Russia underscore the potential dangers and the importance of consular support for American citizens abroad.
The incident also raises questions about the soldier's motives for traveling to Russia and the circumstances surrounding his arrest. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to determine whether the soldier's actions violated any laws or military regulations. The timely release of information and transparent communication from both the US and Russian authorities will be essential in addressing the concerns raised by this incident and ensuring the safety of all Americans in Russia.
