Trial of U.S. Soldier in Russian Court Over Theft Charges

A court in Vladivostok, Russia, started the trial of an American soldier named Staff Sgt. Gordon Black on Thursday. He was arrested in the city earlier this year for stealing. Black, who is 34 years old, flew to Vladivostok to visit his girlfriend. She accused him of stealing from her, leading to his arrest. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison. The arrest of Black has made the relationship between the United States and Russia more complicated. This comes at a time when tensions between the two countries have been rising due to the conflict in Ukraine. Russia is currently holding several Americans in its prisons, including Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Travis Leake, Marc Fogel, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Ksenia Khavana. The U.S. government is working to secure their release. Black did not have permission from the U.S. Army to travel internationally. He flew from South Korea to Vladivostok without proper authorization. Black's girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, described the incident as a "simple domestic dispute" where Black became aggressive and attacked her. Black, who is married, met his girlfriend in South Korea, and they had a disagreement last fall before she left South Korea. The U.S. State Department advises American citizens against traveling to Russia. Service members like Black are required to get clearance for international travel, which Black did not do in this case. The situation has caused further strain on the already tense relations between the U.S. and Russia.