US soldier suspected of Russia-related espionage arrested in UK

An unnamed U.S. Army soldier was arrested on Tuesday in the United Kingdom following an investigation into allegations of espionage related to Russia, according to British authorities.

The Metropolitan Police said in a news release that the 41-year-old soldier is accused of violating two sections of the National Security Act 2023 , including obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a provided statement. “While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message – this 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.”

The soldier was taken into custody near Gloucester and remained at a London police station as of about 6:45 p.m. local time, according to the release. Authorities were also searching two locations in Gloucestershire, a county in southwestern England.

The release contained few details, with the commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command describing the individual only as a “senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information” whose conduct is a “sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent.”

“I encourage anyone who thinks they’ve witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office,” Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon said in a statement.

Officials said the investigation was not linked to any other counterterrorism probes and was conducted in “close collaboration” with U.S. authorities.

“The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing,” said Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for the UK police’s counterterrorism network. “This activity demonstrates the strength of our UK and US law enforcement and national security partnerships, and I commend the work of all the teams involved.”

The FBI has made 167 counterintelligence and espionage-related arrests in the last 21 months, according to Patel.