A US soldier has been arrested and detained in Russia, accused of “criminal misconduct”.
The man travelled to the country alone from South Korea where he is stationed, NBC News reported.
A spokesperson later confirmed that he had been arrested after being accused of stealing from a woman, The Associated Press reported.
Officials speaking to the AP anonymously named the man as Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, 34. The US Army has not officially named the man so far.
He was reportedly meant to be returning home to Fort Cavazos in Texas, but headed for Russia instead.
The soldier was arrested on 2nd May in Vladivostok, on the country’s east coast close to North Korea, on charges of criminal misconduct. The US Embassy in Moscow, over 5,000 miles from where he was detained, is reportedly in contact with the soldier’s family.
“The Russian Federation notified the US Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” US Army spokesperson, Cynthia O. Smith, told The Independent.
“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.”
White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby, told Politico that the US was aware of the situation but did not comment further.
A US Department of State spokesperson told The Independent that Americans should be aware of the danger of travelling to Russia at this time.
“We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas,” the spokesperson said.
“When a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, consular officers seek to aid him or her with all appropriate assistance.
“U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately, as stated in our Travel Advisory for Russia.”
Moscow is holding multiple US citizens with a journalist and a dual-citizen among them. In late April, Wall Street Journal employee Evan Gershkovich was told he will re in jail in Russia until at least the end of June. He is accused of espionage.
WNBA player Brittney Griner was also detained by Russia in 2022 on drug-related charges. She was finally released as part of a prisoner swap and has spoken recently of how desperate she felt.
Last year, Travis King, an American soldier stationed in South Korea, fled to North Korea when he faced disciplinary action. He was later detained by US officials.
Tensions have reed high between the United States and Russia in recent years, especially following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
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