US Army officer stationed at NATO headquarters in UK arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia

Tyner, 41, enlisted in the US Army in 2008 and previously served in Afghanistan, Qatar, and Iraq. The headquarters where he was stationed is designed to command NATO land forces during a conflict.

Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Tyner, a US Army officer stationed at NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps headquarters in the UK, is the officer who was arrested on Tuesday near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing American officials familiar with the investigation.

According to the report, Tyner spoke with representatives of British authorities as part of a sting operation, without knowing their true identity. His motives have not yet become clear.

According to the report, authorities in the UK are expected to file an indictment against him next week.

One of the officials said that after he is tried in the UK, he is expected to stand trial in the US as well under American military law. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any connection to the officer.

Tyner, 41, enlisted in the US Army in 2008 and previously served in Afghanistan, Qatar, and Iraq. The headquarters where he was stationed is designed to command NATO land forces during a conflict or crisis.

Assisting a foreign intelligence service

British police confirmed that the arrest was carried out in cooperation with the US Army and the FBI, on suspicion of offenses relating to protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

In response to the arrest on Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel said, "This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies."

Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of US Army Counterintelligence Command, added, "The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent."