A British naval soldier was accused of spying for Russia.. What happened?

A member of the British Royal Navy, who is still in service, has been charged with spying for Russia, following a multi-party investigation within the framework of the fight against terrorism.

Teddy Young, 24 years old, was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire, central England, on Tuesday, and was charged the next day with charges related to violating the British National Security Law, according to the London Metropolitan Police.

Young appeared before Westminster District Court in London on Thursday.

According to what the British "PA Media" agency reported, the court heard allegations that Young exploited his security clearance to access secret data related to defense and intelligence, after he was assigned to work on a Royal Navy ship.

He was also accused of preparing a message in Russian containing confidential information, and taking steps to make direct contact with Russian authorities, according to PA Media.

The London Metropolitan Police previously said that Young, between late November 2024 and May 2025, engaged in “behavior that paves the way for the commission of the crime of disclosing protected information.”

Police added that during that period, he also "obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information with the intention that the conduct would serve a foreign power, knowing, or taking other matters into account that he was aware, or reasonably should have been aware, that it was harmful to the security or interests of the United Kingdom."

Young was not asked to enter any guilty plea during Thursday's hearing, as the case will be referred to a higher court for consideration at a later date.