The 41-year-old soldier was detained near Gloucester as British counterterrorism police searched two locations and worked with the FBI and U.S. military.
LONDON, UK — A senior U.S. Army soldier has been arrested in Britain on suspicion of offenses involving protected information and assistance to a foreign intelligence service, with British police saying the allegations relate to Russia.
The 41-year-old man, whose name and rank have not been publicly released, was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as part of an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing London. He remained in custody at a London police station as investigators continued inquiries and searched two locations in Gloucestershire. Authorities have not announced criminal charges or publicly described what information the soldier is suspected of obtaining, disclosing or attempting to provide.
London’s Metropolitan Police said investigators were working closely with U.S. authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. military. The soldier was detained on suspicion of offenses under Sections 1 and 3 of Britain’s National Security Act 2023. Section 1 covers obtaining, copying, retaining or disclosing protected information under conditions set out by the law. Section 3 covers conduct intended to materially assist, or likely to materially assist, a foreign intelligence service in activities connected to the United Kingdom.
Police said the country connected to the allegations is Russia. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the allegations as serious and said the investigation remained ongoing. She said the arrest reflected close cooperation between British and American law enforcement and national security authorities.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest involved “allegations of espionage” that were of major concern to the United States and its allies. He said the FBI would not tolerate conduct by people who violate their oath and endanger U.S. national security or that of partner nations. The statements addressed allegations under investigation and did not establish that the soldier committed an offense.
Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, described the suspect as a senior soldier who had been entrusted with sensitive information. Stinchon said the case was a reminder of the continuing threat posed by insiders. Army Counterintelligence Command is responsible for investigations and other operations aimed at protecting the Army from foreign intelligence threats.
The Associated Press reported that the soldier was assigned to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. NATO says the corps is based at Innsworth in the United Kingdom, near Gloucester, and is part of the alliance’s integrated military structure. Rapid deployable corps headquarters can be used to command multinational forces when NATO’s political leadership authorizes a deployment. Authorities have not publicly said whether the allegations involve NATO information or material connected to the soldier’s assignment.
The arrest comes as Western governments continue to warn about Russian intelligence and other covert activity in Europe. British and U.S. officials have investigated a range of suspected foreign intelligence operations in recent years, but police stressed that the soldier’s case was not connected to any other ongoing Counter Terrorism Policing investigation. That distinction separates the Russia-related allegations from other recent national security cases involving military facilities in Britain.
Police have not said whether investigators believe protected information was actually transferred to a Russian intelligence service, what information may have been involved or how long the alleged activity may have continued. They also have not disclosed what evidence led to the arrest. The soldier has not been publicly charged, and the allegations remain under investigation.
The investigation was continuing Wednesday, with the soldier in British custody and searches underway as authorities examined the suspected offenses. Officials had not announced a court appearance or identified the soldier as of the latest public statements.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.