A U.S. Army soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, was detained in Vladivostok, Russia, on criminal misconduct charges while on leave from his station in South Korea. Russian authorities accused him of theft, a charge believed by many to be fabricated in order to detain an American. The U.S. Department of State and Army’s consular support are assisting Black, as his family has been notified of the situation. Black joins a growing list of Americans being held in Russian jails, including Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Travis Leake, Marc Fogel, and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana. The U.S. government has worked to negotiate the release of these wrongfully detained individuals, including advocating for corporate security executive Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich.
In addition to Black, another recent case involving a U.S. Army soldier is that of Travis King, a Private 2nd Class who defected to North Korea. King faced multiple charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including desertion, making false statements, disobeying superior officers, solicitation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He entered North Korea on foot in July 2023 after spending two months in a South Korean detention facility. North Korea’s state media reported that King confessed to crossing over due to alleged maltreatment and discrimination within the U.S. Army. Despite his actions, King was eventually returned to U.S. custody in September.
The detention of American citizens in Russia has been a cause for concern, with several individuals facing imprisonment on various charges. The U.S. government has designated some of these cases, including that of Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, as wrongful detentions and has been engaged in negotiating for their release. In Black’s case, the soldier’s family has been notified, and consular support is being provided by the U.S. Department of State. The sensitivity of the matter has limited the release of additional information regarding Black’s situation in Russia.
The cases of Travis King and Gordon Black highlight the complexities and risks faced by U.S. Army soldiers serving abroad. King’s desertion to North Korea and Black’s detention in Russia are examples of the legal and diplomatic challenges that can arise for military personnel stationed overseas. While details surrounding Black’s case remain limited, the involvement of the U.S. Department of State and Army in providing consular support underscores the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of American service members facing legal issues while serving overseas.
The broader implications of the detention of U.S. Army soldiers in Russia and North Korea raise questions about international relations, diplomatic interventions, and the legal protections of individuals serving in the military. The efforts by the U.S. government to negotiate for the release of wrongfully detained individuals reflect the importance of upholding legal standards and advocating for the rights of American citizens facing legal challenges abroad. The cases of Travis King and Gordon Black serve as reminders of the complex and sometimes perilous situations that military personnel can encounter while serving in foreign countries, highlighting the need for prompt and effective consular support and diplomatic engagement in response to such incidents.
