Staff Sgt. Gordon Black detained in Russia ‘wasn’t cleared for travel,’ as mom claims he was visiting girlfriend [Video]

A US soldier who was detained in Russia last week on suspicion of theft reportedly did not receive permission from the Department of Defense to travel to the country.

US Army Staff Sergeant Gordon D. Black, 35, was arrested in Vladivostok, near the Russia-North Korea border on May 2 after allegedly stealing from a woman, said Pentagon officials.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black reportedly did not have permission to visit Russia, where he was arrested for allegedly stealingCredit: UNPIXS

Black’s mother said he went to the country to visit his girlfriend but didn’t have clearance to leave his unit in South KoreaCredit: Getty Images

Russian authorities said they used Black’s girlfriend’s social media to get information on the coupleCredit: ABC News/ Melody Black

It was initially unclear how Black got to Russia with US officials investigating how he ended up there.

Black was stationed in South Korea and didn’t request official clearance to leave his unit, said Armyspokesperson …

Tags Asian News, Global News, Korea