The U.S. Army soldier arrested near Gloucester, England, on Tuesday is suspected of spying for Russia, British counterterrorism police said.

Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at Imjin Barracks — U.S. Department of Defense via Wikimedia Commons

British counterterrorism police arrested a 41-year-old senior U.S. Army soldier near Gloucester on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. The man has not been named and has not been charged. He is in custody at a London police station.

The Metropolitan Police announced the arrest in a statement at 18:45 GMT on Tuesday. The man was detained under the UK National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of offences under Section 1, obtaining or disclosing protected information, and Section 3, assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police said plainly: “The country to which the allegations relate is Russia.”

Arrest under the National Security Act

Under the National Security Act 2023, police can hold a person arrested on suspicion of such offences without charge for up to 14 days. Officers are searching two addresses in Gloucestershire in connection with the investigation.

Police said the case is not linked to any other ongoing Counter Terrorism Policing investigations.

The arrest is on suspicion only. It is not a charge, and it is not a finding of guilt. No court proceedings have begun, and police have not said what information is alleged to have been obtained or disclosed.

Soldier assigned to NATO headquarters

The soldier was assigned to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), headquartered at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, a senior NATO military official confirmed. The BBC reported that he was based at Imjin Barracks.

Imjin Barracks is the headquarters of the ARRC, NATO’s rapid-reaction headquarters, which is based in Gloucestershire. The arrest of a senior soldier assigned to that headquarters has drawn attention because of the sensitivity of the work carried out there, although police and U.S. officials have released no details about the soldier’s specific role, rank beyond his senior status, or the duties he performed.

Joint investigation

The investigation is a joint effort involving Counter Terrorism Policing London, U.S. authorities, the U.S. military and the FBI.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the case involves espionage charges “of utmost importance to the United States and our allies.”

Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, referred to the alleged conduct of “a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information.”

Officials have not released further details about the specific allegations, the evidence police say they are examining, or how long the investigation had been under way before Tuesday’s arrest.

What happens next

While the man remains in custody in London, investigators will continue their inquiries, including the searches at the two Gloucestershire addresses. Under the National Security Act, police have up to 14 days to hold him without charge while they decide whether to charge him or release him.

Further updates are expected as the investigation continues and as police decide on the next steps in the case.

Separate earlier case

In a separate, earlier case, a 22-year-old Army soldier was previously charged with trying to pass classified information about the M1A2 Abrams tank to someone he believed was a Russian intelligence officer. That case is distinct from the arrest announced Tuesday.

Sources: Global 1 News and Jaisalmer News.