An appellate court in Russia’s Far East has reduced the prison sentence of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, the soldier who was convicted last year after flying to Russia without authorization to visit a woman he met while stationed overseas.
According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the 9th Court of Cassation reduced Black’s original sentence of three years and nine months to three years and two months, a modest reduction of just seven months. The court dismissed the charge of making threats of murder, but upheld his conviction for theft, which stemmed from an alleged domestic dispute with his Russian girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk.
Black, 34, was arrested in May 2024 in Vladivostok, shortly after arriving in the Pacific port city to see Vashchuk. Russian prosecutors said the incident escalated into violence and theft, with Vashchuk accusing Black of grabbing her by the neck and taking money from her wallet during an argument. Black claimed she had been drinking heavily and became physically aggressive, and his family has stated that she had a documented history of abuse—citing one instance where she allegedly stabbed him on a video call witnessed by his wife and mother.
At the time of his arrest, Black was on leave and in transit from his duty station at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, to Fort Cavazos, Texas. Instead of returning to the U.S. as planned, he took a detour through China to Russia to visit Vashchuk. The U.S. Army later confirmed that Black did not have approval for international travel, a clear violation of Pentagon policy, especially amid current tensions with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Following his conviction, Black was sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony and fined 10,000 rubles (roughly $115). His military status was subsequently changed to “Confined Civilian Authority” (CCA), cutting off his pay and allowances while maintaining his active-duty designation. The Army has allowed his family to continue receiving medical coverage and access to on-base services.
While the sentence reduction is notable in legal terms, the practical impact is minimal. Black still faces years of confinement in a foreign prison system, and the seven-month reduction does little to change his immediate situation.
Legal experts warn that Black could face additional disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) once he completes his sentence. Potential charges include unauthorized foreign travel, conduct unbecoming of an NCO, and fraternization or adultery stemming from his extramarital relationship with Vashchuk.
The Army’s decision to assign CCA status in this case has raised eyebrows among former Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers. One former JAG told Reuters last year that the move may set a problematic precedent: “There’s a concern here that we may be giving legitimacy to the proceedings conducted in Russia with how we reflect his duty and pay status.”
Black met Vashchuk while stationed in South Korea. After a previous altercation between the two, she left the country under unclear circumstances. It remains unknown whether South Korean authorities were involved in her departure or what role, if any, the U.S. military played at the time.
While the case continues to draw attention both in the U.S. and abroad, one thing is clear—Black’s actions and their consequences serve as a harsh reminder of the responsibilities and restrictions that come with wearing the uniform, even when off duty.
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