Army investigating whether detained U.S. soldier was lured to Russia by intelligence services [Video]

The U.S. Army is investigating whether a soldier who is currently being held in Russia on theft charges was lured there by the country’s intelligence services, a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday.

“There is an administrative investigation underway to determine the facts and circumstances around his travel,” Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a news conference.

Asked specifically whether Staff Sgt. Gordon Black may been targeted by Russian intelligence, Singh replied: “This is something that the Army is looking into.”

Black did not have Defense Department clearance to visit the country nor is there any indication that he planned to stay there, Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith said earlier Tuesday.

Based in South Korea, Black was supposed to be traveling to Fort Cavazos, Texas, to start a new assignment.

“Instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons,” Smith said.”

The personal reason being that Black was intending to meet a …