US Soldier Arrested in UK for Spying Linked to Russia

A 41-year-old US Army soldier has been arrested in the UK over claims of spying for Russia.

The Metropolitan Police said the man was taken into custody near Gloucester on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. This arrest is part of a probe by Counter Terrorism Policing, in close cooperation with US authorities, the US military, and the FBI.

In a statement released on its website on Tuesday, the police said the suspect was arrested under suspicion of offenses under Sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

These offenses are about obtaining or sharing protected information and helping a foreign intelligence service.

"The country to which the allegations relate is Russia," the statement noted.

Police also mentioned that they were searching two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, who is the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said this arrest shows the teamwork between British and American agencies.

"This significant arrest and investigation is a result of close collaboration between UK and US authorities," Evans stated.

"The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing.

"This activity shows the strength of our UK and US law enforcement and national security partnerships, and I commend the work of all the teams involved.

"We will work together to take strong action against anyone we suspect of any criminal activity that could harm our national security."

Kash Patel, the Director of the FBI, also called the arrest an important step. He said the allegations raised concerns for the security of the US and its allies.

He shared this in a late-night post on X on Tuesday.

"This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies," Patel said.

"While this investigation is ongoing, 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.

"This includes 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests from this FBI over the last 21 months, a 53 percent increase."

Patel thanked the UK Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence, and the US Army Counterintelligence Command for their efforts in the investigation.

Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, the head of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the case shows how important it is for security agencies to work together.

"This case shows the strength of our partnerships and the determination of the counterintelligence community," he said.

"I am thankful to the UK and the FBI for their professionalism and teamwork throughout this investigation.

"The alleged actions of a senior soldier, who was trusted with sensitive information, remind us that insider threats are real and ongoing.

"I encourage anyone who thinks they have seen something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office."

The Metropolitan Police stated that the suspect is still in custody at a London police station. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London are leading the investigation.

They also added that this investigation is not connected to any other ongoing Counter Terrorism Policing investigations.