U.S. soldier is detained in Russia, officials confirm

A U.S. Military sergeant stationed in Korea has been detained in Russia, accused of stealing from a lady, two Pentagon officers stated Monday. 

Workers Sgt. Gordon D. Black. was arrested on Might 2 in Vladivostock. It’s unclear how he bought there however he was within the course of of adjusting responsibility stations from Korea again to Fort Cavazos (Ft. Hood) within the U.S. He was not there on official journey.

Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby instructed reporters that the U.S. is “conscious of this case and different issues associated to Russia,” however he stated he could not “say a lot about it proper now.” NBC Information first reported {that a} soldier had been detained in Russia over the weekend.

The U.S. has lengthy been attempting to safe the discharge of two different People who it considers to be wrongfully detained in Russia.

Paul Whelan, a former Marine, has been imprisoned in Russia since 2018 on espionage, which the U.S. and his household have stated are sham costs. He was sentenced to 16 years in jail in 2020.

Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was jailed in March 2023 on espionage costs, which the U.S., his household and employer all insist are baseless. He’s awaiting trial.

The State Division stated in December that Russia rejected a “vital” proposal for his or her launch.

The U.S. has warned People for months to not journey to Russia and had urged U.S. residents dwelling there to depart instantly. An up to date journey advisory in September stated People touring to the nation could possibly be singled out “for detention by Russian authorities safety officers” and the U.S. Embassy had “restricted capacity to help U.S. residents in Russia.” 

“When a U.S. citizen is detained overseas, consular officers search to assist her or him with all applicable help. We take significantly our dedication to help U.S. residents overseas and supply all applicable help,” a State Division spokesperson stated in a press release Monday that confirmed a U.S. citizen had been detained in Russia. 

The spokesperson reiterated that U.S. residents in Russia or touring to the nation ought to go away instantly. 

“We reiterate our robust warnings concerning the hazard posed to U.S. residents contained in the Russian Federation,” the spokesperson stated. 

Camilla Schick and Arden Farhi contributed to this report.

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