By Brady Knox and Mike Brest. Media: Washingtonexaminer
A United States soldier was detained in Russia, authorities revealed.
Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith told the Washington Examiner the soldier, identified by CBS News as U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon D. Black, was arrested on May 2 in Vladivostok, Russia’s largest city in the Far East.
“On May 2, 2024, Russian authorities in Vladivostok, Russia, detained an American Soldier on charges of criminal misconduct,” she said. “The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Army notified his family, and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed at a White House press briefing on Monday that the soldier was arrested on May 2. However, he was sparse with further details.
“I can’t really say much about it right now,” Kirby told reporters. “I hope you can understand that. And certainly, it’s a better question for our [Department of Defense] colleagues, but we are aware of this case and other matters related to Russia.”
The soldier was stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia of his own volition, NBC News reported. He was allegedly arrested on suspicion of having stolen from a woman.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed his belief that the soldier was unjustly detained.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that a U.S. Army officer has been detained in Russia,” he said. “Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage. A warning to all Americans — as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia.”