Russian authorities have recently detained two U.S. citizens, including a currently serving U.S. soldier, in unrelated criminal cases.
The soldier, arrested on charges of criminal misconduct relating to theft, was detained on Monday and is currently held by a court in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East.
This was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the regional office of the Interior Ministry.
The incident involving the soldier is reported to have stemmed from a personal conflict rather than political motives, with no espionage charges being brought forward.
“As far as we understand, this is a purely everyday crime,” stated the Vladivostok branch of the Russian Foreign Ministry, as quoted by TASS state media agency.
The ministry emphasized the non-political nature of the case.
The U.S. Army has acknowledged being informed about the soldier’s detention, although they have not disclosed his identity.
RIA news agency named the soldier as Gordon Black and reported that he will remain in custody at least until July 2.
Details from the case reveal that Black was based in South Korea before visiting Vladivostok, where he allegedly stole money during a visit to a woman he met in South Korea.
Following an argument, the woman filed a police report, leading to Black’s arrest in a local hotel as he was preparing to return home.
Separately, another U.S. citizen, identified by Moscow’s court service as William Russell Nycum, was detained for “petty hooliganism” after being found intoxicated and naked in public, which the authorities described as showing “obvious disrespect to society, citizens and public order.”
These cases highlight the growing diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the detention of Americans in Russia, reminiscent of other high-profile cases, such as the drug charges against basketball star Brittney Griner, who was freed last year in a prisoner swap, and the espionage charges against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, which are vigorously denied by him and his employer.
The U.S. embassy in Moscow, when contacted about the detentions, stated, “We are aware of reports of U.S. citizens being arrested inside of Russia…Consular officers from the embassy always seek to aid citizens with appropriate assistance but due to privacy concerns we aren’t able to comment further.”