The United Kingdom detains a US soldier for alleged espionage for Russia

British authorities have arrested a US Army officer for allegedly spying for Russia. The detainee is a 41-year-old person who, according to BBC public television, was stationed at the Imjin barracks, where the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) is located, one of NATO's key command centers in case there was a war in Europe. Curiously, the ARRC is located in Gloucestershire, the same county in which five people were arrested a month and a half ago for allegedly planning an attack on Fairford air base, where there were more than a dozen American B-1 heavy bombers that had participated in the war against Iran.

The operation took place in coordination with the US FBI, whose director, Kash Patel, has stated in a statement that he considers the accusations against the US officer "a matter of utmost concern for the United States and its allies." Patel has stated that, although investigations continue, "the FBI has zero tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath of allegiance to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners."

The ARRC is one of the most important institutions for NATO. Its mission would be to travel to the theater of operations and coordinate front-line actions from there in the event of war. It is made up of more than 400 soldiers from nearly two dozen countries, under the command of a British lieutenant general, and its creation in 1992 reinforced the role of the United Kingdom in the Alliance. The arrest also comes at a time of particular tension between the United Kingdom and Russia. The latter country has not appointed an ambassador in London since July.