DEVELOPING: US Soldier Detained in Russia

A US soldier was detained in Russia last week on suspicion of theft, according to NBC News.
The unidentified soldier, a staff sergeant stationed in South Korea, traveled to Russia on his own.
No other details were provided.

NBC News reported:

A U.S. soldier was detained in Russia over the weekend, according to four U.S. officials.
He had been stationed in Korea and traveled to Russia on his own and not on official business.
The soldier is accused of stealing from a woman.
The U.S. Army did not immediately return a request for comment.
The soldier, who officials did not name, is one of a number of Americans detained in Russia, including several civilians.

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DEVELOPING: US Soldier Detained in Russia | The Gateway Pundit | by Cristina Laila

A US soldier was detained in Russia last week on suspicion of theft, according to NBC News.

www.thegatewaypundit.com

 

[Tall Timbers]

My first question is why is a US soldier in Russia to begin with? I suspect he's going to be in Russia for a long time...

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Hopefully, accusation of theft isn't a lie intended to cover espionage/defection

Why did the Soldier's Commander authorize travel to Russia USSR? When I was overseas in Europe, one's Commander not only signed leave and pass papers, but authorized travel destination(s) and itinerary. If a Soldier's destination was U.S., no itinerary for within-U.S. and Canadian travel required. If a Soldier was staying within X miles of assigned unit (varied by unit), just a statement to that needed on the form.

Part for security/safety/notifications (waaaaaay before cell phones), and part to ensure travel plans were realistic, the Soldier could get back in time, and had money to cover likely/possible expenses.

 

[Almost Heaven]

Russian authorities have detained two US nationals, including a serving US soldier, in two separate cases, the Interior Ministry and Moscow's court service said on Tuesday.

The soldier, detained on Monday on charges of criminal misconduct, was arrested on theft charges by a court in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, the regional office of the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The US Army, which said on Monday it had been informed about the detention, has not named the soldier.

The Interior Ministry did not identify the accused as a soldier and did not name him or specify his nationality but gave his age as 34.

Citing the court's press office, the RIA state news agency said that the soldier, whom the court identified as Gordon Black, is to be detained until July 2.

Russia detains two US nationals, including a serving soldier

"We are aware of reports of US citizens being arrested inside of Russia," a spokesman said. "Consular officers from the embassy always seek to aid citizens with appropriate assistance."

www.jpost.com

 

[Tall Timbers]

Why did the Soldier's Commander authorize travel to Russia USSR?

Did the Commander authorize travel to Russia? Not likely.

 

[Tall Timbers]

The soldier could have been lured into Russia via a honey pot trap or some other scheme. We'll probably never know why the soldier made that foolish move.

 

[Almost Heaven]

The soldier could have been lured into Russia via a honey pot trap or some other scheme. We'll probably never know why the soldier made that foolish move.

I believe that is outlined if you read the whole article I posted above.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I believe that is outlined if you read the whole article I posted above.

Will, I guess maybe we do know... The woman succeeded at her mission.

 

[Andy C]

Did the Commander authorize travel to Russia? Not likely.

Agree. Sounds like the service member wanted to defect because I cant think of another reason one would travel there. If one wants to go UA, it's easy to do, command has no way of knowing until after the absence.

 

[Andy C]

I believe that is outlined if you read the whole article I posted above.

I'm guilty, did not read your link before posting.

34 year old soldier probably a senior enlisted, should know better.

 

[Tall Timbers]

34 year old soldier probably a senior enlisted, should know better.

The soldier got tricked by one of the oldest tricks in the game.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Regardless, the Chain of Command is likely in hot water, pending investigation.
Policies and procedures, training records, safety/security briefings, counseling(s), Soldier's unit and Army records, etc., etc., etc.
And everyone, who knew him, especially in the unit and socially, plus family, even not in South Korea, will be answering questions, some of which by their nature unpleasant, and perhaps swept up into the investigation. Ditto her, but only so far as her country of citizenship and South Korea will allow.
Not a wonderful time for anyone involved.
A lot of innocent and uninvolved people are going to be inconvenienced and/or hurt by this.

 

[Andy C]

Regardless, the Chain of Command is likely in hot water, pending investigation.
Policies and procedures, training records, safety/security briefings, counseling(s), Soldier's unit and Army records, etc., etc., etc.
And everyone, who knew him, especially in the unit and socially, plus family, even not in South Korea, will be answering questions, some of which by their nature unpleasant, and perhaps swept up into the investigation. Ditto her, but only so far as her country of citizenship and South Korea will allow.
Not a wonderful time for anyone involved.
A lot of innocent and uninvolved people are going to be inconvenienced and/or hurt by this.

Not the chains fault. He was executing change of station orders, and was supposed to fly to his next duty station. Somehow, he managed to book a flight to Russia. He's a Staff Sergeant.

Russian court says detained US Army soldier will be held until July for allegedly causing 'significant damage'

U.S. Army soldier Gordon Black will remain in pretrial detention in Russia until July 2 after being arrested on a theft charge, Russian authorities say.

www.foxnews.com