US Army Soldier Arrested in UK on Suspicion of Spying for Russia

British counter-terrorism police arrested a 41-year-old U.S. Army soldier near Gloucester, England, on Tuesday, November 10, on suspicion of espionage on behalf of Russia. The arrest was made in coordination with U.S. authorities, the U.S. military, and the FBI, and the soldier remains in custody at a London police station.

The soldier was detained under Section 1 and Section 3 of the UK's National Security Act 2023, which cover the handling of protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service, respectively. Officers conducted searches at two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation. Gloucester is home to GCHQ, the UK's intelligence and cybersecurity agency.

Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, described the arrested individual as a "senior soldier" who had been "entrusted with sensitive information." FBI Director Kash Patel said the case "involves allegations of espionage" and stated that the FBI has "no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners."