Pentagon says US soldier arrested in Russia for theft flouted army rules

US soldier Gordon Black, who was arrested in Russia, flouted army regulations by journeying to Vladivostok, Russia, without clearance, the Pentagon disclosed on Tuesday (May 7). Black, a 34-year-old Army staff sergeant, undertook this excursion after passing through China, while on personal leave from military duty."Instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons," the US Army said in a statement.

According to the Pentagon, Black's risky behaviour came to light amid allegations that he had a girlfriend in Russia, where he now faces theft charges. Black's mother, Melody Jones, expressed suspicions that her son was manipulated by his Russian partner. She said, "I knew something was going to happen. I felt like he was being set up by her."

The incident compounded diplomatic tensions between the United States and Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Notably, other high-profile detentions include basketball star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Black, who served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, is currently in a pre-trial detention facility. The Russian Interior Ministry clarified that a complaint was lodged against Black by a 32-year-old woman he met in South Korea. The ministry stated that an altercation between them led to accusations of theft, resulting in Black's arrest.

Although the Russian foreign ministry maintains the absence of political motives in Black's case, it nonetheless marks another instance of strained relations between the two nations."He will remain in detention until his next hearing pending determination," as per the US Army. An Army spokeswomanCynthia Smith reportedly said, “Official and leave travel is currently restricted pursuant to the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide. There is no evidence Black intended to remain in Russia."

(With inputs from agencies)