The mother of US soldier Staff Sgt. Gordon D. Black, who is currently in custody in Russia on charges of theft, believes that he was convinced to travel to Russia by his girlfriend, Aleksandra Vashchuk. Black had finished a tour of duty in South Korea and was on his way to his next station in Texas when he decided to visit Vashchuk in Vladivostok. Despite his mother’s warnings about the dangers of traveling to Russia, Black chose to go see his girlfriend before returning home.
Black and Vashchuk had been in an on-again, off-again relationship for about a year and a half, meeting at a bar where she worked. While his mother expressed concerns about Vashchuk, Black was described as a good soldier and a good person by his mother. Videos from Vashchuk’s TikTok account revealed Black expressing empathy for Russia in the Ukraine war and criticizing NATO’s aggressiveness. Despite his pro-Russian views, Black was arrested in Vladivostok for allegedly stealing property from a local resident. He is currently being held in custody and is expected to remain there for at least two months.
The news of Black’s arrest has left his family worried, especially his daughter, who misses her father. Despite being a dedicated father who frequently checked in with his family, Black’s daughter is now left without contact with her father. His mother, who received an initial call from the State Department informing her of her son’s detention, has not heard any updates from officials. As the family waits for more information, they are anxious about Black’s well-being and his eventual release from custody in Russia.
Black’s mother expressed concerns about the dangers of traveling to Russia for Americans, citing cases of others being detained in the country. She had warned Black about the risks of going to Russia, especially given the political tensions between the US and Russia. Black, who was going through a divorce back in the States, traveled to Vladivostok to see Vashchuk one last time before returning to Texas. His mother, who had a bad feeling about Vashchuk, now worries about her son’s safety and his uncertain future in Russian custody.
Despite the challenges facing Black in Russia, his mother remains hopeful for his safe return. She misses her son’s calls and gestures, like sending flowers on Mother’s Day, which she will not receive this year due to his detainment. As Black remains in custody in Vladivostok, his family and loved ones await more information about his situation and hope for a resolution that brings him back home safely. The uncertainty surrounding Black’s detainment highlights the risks of traveling to countries like Russia, especially for American citizens, and the potential consequences of getting involved in local disputes or legal matters.