UK police arrest senior US soldier in Russia-linked investigation

British counter-terrorism police arrested a senior U.S. Army soldier near Gloucester on Tuesday on suspicion of obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police said the allegations relate to Russia.

The 41-year-old man, who has not been named, remained in custody at a London police station. Officers were searching two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation, the BBC reported.

Police said the soldier was arrested on suspicion of offences under sections one and three of Britain’s National Security Act 2023. Section one concerns obtaining or disclosing protected information; section three concerns assisting a foreign intelligence service. The BBC reported that the law allows police to hold him without charge for up to 14 days.

The BBC said it understood the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire. The barracks serve as the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, according to the BBC.

“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 statement released by British police.

“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,” Patel said.

Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, said the allegations underscored the risk posed by people with access to sensitive information. “The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” he said.

Stinchon thanked British authorities and the FBI for their work on the investigation. “This case demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and the resolve of the counterintelligence community,” he said. “I am grateful to the U.K. and the FBI for their professionalism and teamwork throughout this investigation.” He also urged anyone who believes they have seen something suspicious to report it to a local counterintelligence office.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Britain’s senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, called the arrest significant and the allegations serious. “Our investigation is very much ongoing,” she said.

Police said the case was not linked to any other ongoing counter-terrorism investigations. No charge was reported in the accounts of the arrest.