Senior US soldier arrested in Britain on suspicion of spying for Russia

A high-ranking US soldier has been arrested in Great Britain on suspicion of spying for Russia. As British police announced on Tuesday, it was a 41-year-old man. He is accused of violations of the national security law related to obtaining or disclosing protected information and supporting a foreign intelligence service. According to BBC information, he is said to have been stationed in a barracks that serves as the headquarters for NATO's "Allied Rapid Reaction Corps."

FBI Director Kash Patel said the espionage allegations were "of grave concern to the United States and its allies." The soldier's alleged behavior is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent, added Brigadier General Sean Stinchon of US Army Intelligence.

The arrest came a day after the US withdrew tankers from a British air base. According to the Wall Street Journal, the planes left the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall on Monday because of a threat from Iran.

However, British police said the arrest was not related to any other ongoing counter-terrorism investigation. It was the second such withdrawal in three months.

The USA had already withdrawn bombers from the RAF Fairford base for security reasons in September. Police linked this incident to Iran, which has denied any links to attacks or incidents in the UK.

Two men have now been charged in connection with the alleged attack plans against the Fairford military base. One of the two defendants is accused of supporting a foreign secret service. The other defendant is accused of intentionally entering a restricted security area with the aim of damaging the interests of the United Kingdom.

Around a dozen US B1 bombers were stationed at Fairford Air Base. They were withdrawn at the beginning of October, probably out of fear of an Iranian attack.