US lieutenant colonel detained in UK on suspicion of spying for Russia

Lt Col Brandon Tyner, a 41-year-old U.S. Army officer attached to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, was detained by British counter-terrorism police near Gloucester on Tuesday under the National Security Act 2023. The arrest follows a joint investigation by UK and U.S. authorities, including MI5 and the FBI.

According to a U.S. army official, Tyner joined the army in 2008, served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of North Carolina and has been active on social media, describing himself as a “change agent, master of coin, disruptor, proactive leader, artist” on LinkedIn.

Investigators allege that Tyner attempted to provide intelligence to individuals posing as Russian operatives, though officials say no classified material left the base. He is expected to be charged on Monday, after which U.S. military authorities plan to prosecute him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

“This matter shows that partnerships are essential to protect our countries and I want to express my thanks to UK Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence, and the US Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

“The arrest is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” said Brig Gen Sean Stinchon, commander of the U.S. military’s counter-intelligence command.

“This significant arrest and investigation is a result of close collaboration between UK and US authorities. The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing,” said Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

The Kremlin denied any involvement, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating the arrest “does not concern us in any way.” The case marks the first known instance of a U.S. soldier being arrested on espionage suspicions on British soil.