US soldier detained in Russia on charges of criminal misconduct: US Army
Korea HeraldMay 22
Report: US Army Sergeant Arrested in Russia
Image copyright: Chung Sung-Jun/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The US Army said Monday that Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was detained in the Russian port city of Vladivostok last week on charges of criminal misconduct.
Black had finished his deployment in South Korea and reportedly traveled to Russia to visit his girlfriend before heading back home to Fort Cavazos, Texas.
The Spin
Narrative A
Despite Washington's strong warnings about the danger posed to US citizens inside the Russian Federation, Black left South Korea of his own volition. His criminal detention isn't related to espionage or strained US-Russia relations. He has been arrested for committing theft and causing significant psychological damage to a Russian citizen. He must face the consequences of his willful actions.
Narrative B
Russia has a history of wrongfully detaining prominent US citizens — including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich — and use them as bargaining chips. Black's arrest will likely aggravate the contentious relationship between Moscow and Washington, which is why the Biden administration must take significant measures to stop the Kremlin from holding any more American citizens hostage.