Staff Reports
U.S. Army soldier Staff Sgt. Gordon Black is set to stand trial in a Russian court in Vladivostok on charges of theft, stemming from a domestic dispute with his Russian girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk. She has accused him of stealing from her during their altercation. If found guilty, Black could face up to five years in prison.
Black's decision to travel to Russia is particularly contentious given the strained relations between the United States and Russia amid the Russo-Ukrainian war. The U.S. State Department has strongly advised American citizens against visiting Russia, and it is highly unlikely that Black received authorization for the trip from his superiors. His travel was undertaken for personal reasons and without the necessary permissions from the U.S. Army, violating military regulations.
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Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, will face trial Thursday in a Russian court after he was arrested on theft charges earlier this year in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported from thehttps://t.co/V4AR1Y6MxC
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Black's case adds to the list of Americans currently detained in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate executive Paul Whelan. There is speculation that, if Black is imprisoned, Russia might seek a prisoner exchange deal, similar to the one that resulted in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Black’s mother has expressed grave concerns about his situation, claiming that he was "lured" to Russia by his girlfriend. She highlighted her fears for his safety, noting that she was more worried about his trip to Russia than his deployments to active conflict zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
