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Russia has detained two US nationals, including an active-duty soldier, for unrelated criminal offenses, authorities reported on Tuesday. 

First case:
The soldier, Gordon Black, was arrested on Monday in Vladivostok for allegedly stealing money. This incident followed a dispute with a woman he met in South Korea, who later accused him of theft. Black was detained in a local hotel as he was preparing to leave Russia, the Interior Ministry’s regional office detailed.

Officials have clarified that the case is being treated as a regular criminal matter, with no elements of political intrigue or espionage. “As far as we understand, this is a purely everyday crime,” the TASS state media agency quoted from the ministry’s statement in Vladivostok. 

The US Army confirmed it had been notified of Black’s detention but has not officially identified him. He was previously stationed in South Korea. Regarding the arrests, a spokesperson from the US embassy in Moscow said, “We are aware of reports of US citizens being arrested inside 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.”

Second case:
In a separate incident, another American, William Russell Nycum, was detained for “petty hooliganism” after reportedly being found naked and intoxicated in a public space. Moscow’s court service criticized his actions as demonstrating “obvious disrespect to society, citizens, and public order.” He was ordered to remain in custody for ten days.