U.K. Arrests U.S. Soldier Accused of Spying Linked to Russia

Arrest and investigation

Authorities said the soldier was arrested on suspicion of espionage connected to Russia. Metropolitan Police said investigators are searching two locations in Gloucestershire, the county where the base is located.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the allegations were serious and the investigation remained underway. She praised cooperation between British and U.S. law enforcement and national security teams, saying they would act against suspected criminal activity that could threaten national security.

British warnings about Russia

The arrest follows an annual threat update last month by MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum. He accused Russia of increasing its efforts at hybrid warfare and described it as the leading aggressor among threats to the United Kingdom.

Talks and separate charges

The arrest came as the U.S., Russia and Ukraine opened a new round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. They were the first talks in about nine months focused on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the discussions constructive and substantive, but immediate progress appeared unlikely. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected European calls for an immediate ceasefire. Also on Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced charges against three people it accused of being Iran-backed operatives plotting an attack at RAF Fairford. One suspect is in custody in New York; two others were not in custody, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News.