US Soldier Faces Trial in Russia for Theft Allegations

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, accused of stealing from his girlfriend during a visit to Vladivostok, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

A trial has commenced in Vladivostok, Russia, for Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, an American soldier accused of stealing from his girlfriend during a visit to the country. Black, 34, had flown to Vladivostok to see his girlfriend when he was arrested after she accused him of theft.

If convicted, Black faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. The trial began Thursday in the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok, with Black agreeing to testify and respond to accusations later in the proceedings.

According to US officials and Russian authorities, Black traveled to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to visit his girlfriend. He was subsequently arrested after she reported him for stealing from her.

The arrest of Staff Sgt. Gordon Black has further strained US-Russia relations, which have been increasingly tense amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia is currently holding several American citizens in its jails, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

The US government has denounced the detention of these individuals as wrongful and has been attempting to negotiate their release. Other detained Americans include Travis Leake, a musician arrested on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug possession; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

The US State Department strongly advises American citizens against travel to Russia. Pentagon policy requires service members seeking international travel to obtain clearance from a security manager or commander, which Black failed to do.

The US Army confirmed that Black had been on leave and was returning to his home base at Fort Cavazos, Texas, from South Korea before diverting to Vladivostok. The Army also underscored that Black's travel had not been authorized by the Defense Department given the heightened tensions in Ukraine and ongoing threats to the US and its military.

According to Black's girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute in which Black allegedly became aggressive and stole money from her wallet without her consent. US officials have stated that Black, who is married, met his girlfriend in South Korea and that a prior domestic dispute led her to leave the country.

Details surrounding the initial dispute and any involvement of South Korean authorities remain unclear. The trial proceedings are ongoing, with Black due to respond to the accusations and provide further details.