Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, will face trial Thursday in a Russian court after he was arrested on theft charges earlier this year in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported from the courtroom in the Pervomaisky District Court that Black has agreed to testify in the trial and will respond to the accusations against him later in the proceedings. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

Black’s arrest stems from a domestic dispute with his Russian girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, who accused him of stealing money from her wallet after he “became aggressive and attacked” her. Black, who is married, met her while stationed in South Korea.

The soldier’s arrest further complicates American-Russian relations during the Russo-Ukrainian war that has led tensions to rise in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The U.S. State Department strongly advises American citizens not to go to Russia, and Black would likely not have been cleared to go there by commanding officers. A U.S. Army spokesperson said Black did not seek authorization, and “instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea, through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons.”

Black joins Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate security executive Paul Whelan among Americans jailed in Russia. If Black is imprisoned, Russia could seek a prisoner exchange deal as it did with WNBA star Brittney Griner when she was imprisoned on drug charges.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Black’s mother said he was “lured” to Russia by his girlfriend.

“I was worried about him going because the government there has been grabbing Americans,” Black’s mother said. “I told him not to go. I was more worried about him going to Russia than I was when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan.”