top of page

Exclusive-Before arrest in Russia, US soldier's relationship with Russian girlfriend turned bloody, wife says

Updated: May 13, 2024


WASHINGTON - Months before his arrest in Russia, U.S. Army soldier Gordon Black made a surprise video call from his overseas tour in South Korea to his 6-year-old daughter in Texas.


Instead of a normal chat, however, his daughter and wife witnessed a fight break out between Black and his Russian girlfriend that became bloody, said his wife, Megan. Screaming turned to violence, with his girlfriend clawing at his face. Then she pulled a knife.


"She stabbed him," Megan Black told Reuters in an exclusive interview, saying Black "had blood on his face." Her daughter was distraught.


Black could not be reached for comment about the video call. The Army did not respond to a request for comment about his case. Reuters was unsuccessful reaching Black through the State Department.


Black, a U.S. Army staff sergeant posted at Camp Humphreys outside Seoul, was arrested on May 2 in Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok and is being held in pre-trial confinement, accused of theft after an argument, according to Russian authorities.


His mother, Melody Jones, told Reuters he followed his girlfriend to Russia even though they "fought like cats and dogs."


"I told them both: You don't need to be together. One of you is going to get hurt one of these days," Jones said. "You know, because if you fight, it's a not a good thing if it's all you do."


Black's arrest presents another headache for U.S. officials already coping with several high-profile detention cases in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.


An Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, Black broke army rules by traveling to Russia without Army authorization, and flew through China to get there, the Pentagon says.


Neither Russian authorities, the Pentagon, Black's wife nor his mother have suggested anything like espionage as a concern. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the case had no political element.


'PULLING TEETH'


In her only interview, Megan Black became emotional when describing life with her husband, and explained that they were finalizing their divorce when Black was arrested.


Her attorney, Jeff Linick, said Black's wife had not received any of her husband's housing allowance, which he is given by the military. Linick said she and her daughter are entitled to support under military regulations, even if the couple is separated.


Although Megan Black is caring for their daughter, her husband had refused to pay the court-ordered child support, Linick said. It was not until she went to the military and its lawyers that they recently started withholding some child support from his paychecks, he said.


"It really took pulling teeth... essentially threaten legal enforcement to finally get the Army - I imagine against his wishes - to finally withhold some child support from his payments," Linick said.


The Army did not respond to a request for comment about support payments, and Black could not be reached for comment. Linick said Gordon Black was representing himself in the Texas divorce.


Megan Black said she met her husband at a bar in 2014 in Killeen, Texas, near his base at Fort Cavazos. The two hit it off quickly, and she recalls how he was charming and accepted her despite a speech impediment.


"He was good to me at one point," she said.


Things started to sour around 2018, and Gordon Black initiated divorce proceedings shortly after he left for South Korea.


CONFUSION


Megan Black said she first learned of the Russian girlfriend around January 2022 when she saw pictures of them together on Facebook. The girlfriend was calling him "her husband," Black said.


Jones said she thought the Russian girlfriend was "sent back" to Russia from South Korea, possibly after a problem with her paperwork. She had warned her son not to follow her there.


"I tried to tell him not to go," she said. Megan Black said she and her daughter had no idea he was in Russia and had been expecting him in Texas, as his tour in South Korea had just ended.


On May 2, the day Russian authorities say they arrested him at a local hotel, Megan Black says she got a message from him "telling me that he wasn't coming home."


That was the last she heard from him.


She said the case has hurt her daughter's image of her father.


"She now looks at her dad as a bad man," she said.



Source: Reuters

Comments


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
Live: China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War

Live: China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War

Beijing, China — The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds its daily press briefing after announcing a sweeping 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. goods effective April 10. Watch for updates on China’s military drills near Taiwan, South China Sea tensions, Indo-Pacific security, Israel-Gaza conflict, and U.S. strikes in Yemen. #China #USChinaTensions #SouthChinaSea #Taiwan #IndoPacific #GazaCrisis #YemenStrikes #TradeWar #Geopolitics #PressBriefing Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Tokyo Stock Market Closes Amid Global Recession Fears | Asia Markets reaction to Tariffs
47:39

Live: Tokyo Stock Market Closes Amid Global Recession Fears | Asia Markets reaction to Tariffs

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ends the day with investor sentiment rattled by growing concerns of a tariff-driven global recession. Market volatility continues as trade tensions weigh on stocks. Get the latest update on Japan's financial markets and global economic impact. Subscribe for more financial news from Asia. #TokyoStockExchange #JapanMarkets #GlobalRecession #StockMarket #FinancialNews #TariffImpact #EconomicUpdate #JapanNews #AsiaMarkets #MarketClose Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Bolsonaro Supporters Rally in São Paulo for Amnesty | Jan 8 Protest | Brazil Politics
57:21

Live: Bolsonaro Supporters Rally in São Paulo for Amnesty | Jan 8 Protest | Brazil Politics

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Paulista Avenue, São Paulo, demanding amnesty for those charged over the January 8, 2023 coup acts. The protest follows rising tensions around the former president's judicial process. Watch exclusive scenes and reactions from the ground. #Bolsonaro #BrazilProtests #SaoPaulo #Jan8 #AmnestyNow #BrazilNews #CoupAttempt #PaulistaAvenue #ProtestLive #SouthAmericaNews Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Macron in Egypt: Talks with Sisi, Gaza Meeting & Business Forum | France-Africa Ties

Live: Macron in Egypt: Talks with Sisi, Gaza Meeting & Business Forum | France-Africa Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day visit to Cairo, Egypt. Key events include a welcome by President Sisi, Gaza-focused trilateral talks with Jordan's King Abdullah, business agreements, and metro project visits. Stay tuned for highlights, statements, and behind-the-scenes coverage. SCHEDULE (TIMINGS APPROX): 0700GMT - Welcome ceremony with Egypt's President Sisi 0845GMT - Signing of agreements 0930GMT - Joint statements 1000GMT - Arrival of Jordan King Abdullah 1005GMT - Trilateral talks on Gaza 1205GMT - Working lunch - NO PRESS ACCESS 1300GMT - Closing of Franco-Egyptian business forum 1430GMT - Visit with Sisi of metro line operated by France's RATP 1550GMT - Presentation of new campus project 1600GMT - Cairo University 1900GMT - Working dinner #Macron #EgyptVisit #CairoNews #GazaTalks #FranceEgypt #MiddleEast #MacronInEgypt #JordanKing #MetroTour #Diplomacy Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
World News | Trump Tariffs, EU,  Israel, Myanmar, France, Amaravati Today | VISTA Ep 34
14:40

World News | Trump Tariffs, EU, Israel, Myanmar, France, Amaravati Today | VISTA Ep 34

France's cognac makers, buffeted by trade wars, reel from Trump's tariffs EU seeks unity in first strike back at Trump tariffs US starts collecting Trump's 10% tariff, smashing global trade norms Rains add to challenge for Myanmar quake relief, toll at 3,471 Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings Russia says Ukraine 'multiplying' energy attacks despite US-brokered moratorium Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election: RN Rally in Paris Sparks Outrage | France Politics
02:17:28

Live: Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election: RN Rally in Paris Sparks Outrage | France Politics

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) holds a major rally in Paris supporting Marine Le Pen, who has been barred from the 2027 presidential race following a graft conviction. The event marks growing tensions in French politics as supporters challenge the ruling. Watch the full coverage of the rally and reactions. #MarineLePen #FrancePolitics #ParisRally #RNParty #FrenchElection #LePen2027 #FarRightFrance #NationalRally #GraftCase Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page