Staff Sgt. Gordon Black is being detained in Russia on charges of stealing from a woman. He is being held in pre-trial detention.

According to a U.S. Army spokesperson, Black was detained last week. He had been stationed in South Korea and finished his deployment. He traveled to Russia on his own as he headed back to the U.S. It was described as a side trip to visit a woman with whom he was romantically involved. 

He did not have permission from his superiors to go to Russia. 

It is not clear if Black is accused of stealing from the woman he was visiting or a different woman. According to U.S. Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith, he was detained on Thursday. He was apprehended in Vladivostok. He is charged with criminal misconduct.

"The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," Smith said. "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."

Was Black lured there by his romantic interest? Is she involved in nefarious activity? In time the story will probably come out in more detail. For now Black is another American citizen being detained in Russia by Vlad Putin's government. 

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He said he is "deeply concerned" over reports he is seeing about the soldier being detained in Russia. 

CHM @RepMcCaul: “I am deeply concerned by reports that a U.S. Army officer has been detained in Russia. Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage. A warning to all Americans—as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia.” https://t.co/R4lIdjmDOH

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) May 6, 2024

My first question was why did he go there? Surely he knows about the uptick in American citizens being held in Russia. Why didn't he arrange to see his girlfriend outside of the country? 

The U.S. State Department, which issues travel advisories, restricts travel to Russia, as does the Pentagon for its personnel. "Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions," according to the State Department advisory. Since his superiors say Black didn't get permission to go to Russia, he's likely to be in hot water with them when (if) he is released from Russian detention. 

During the Biden years, arrests of American citizens in Russia have increased. The relationship between America and Russia is at Cold War lows. Russia is targeting Americans and wants to use them as bargaining chips for the release of Russians being held abroad. Putin has already secured the return of a notorious arms dealer back to Russia. 

Joe Biden is seen as weak on the world stage. That makes it dangerous for Americans traveling in various countries. The Biden administration doesn't have a stellar record in getting American citizens released from their captors. 

This was a dumbass move by the soldier. He should have known better and exercised better judgment. Now his life is at risk. American citizens should stay out of Russia, certainly for the foreseeable future.