A US Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Tyner, was arrested on Tuesday near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia, according to reports citing American officials familiar with the investigation. Tyner, 41, is stationed at NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps headquarters in the United Kingdom, a headquarters designed to command NATO land forces during a conflict or crisis.

The Wall Street Journal reported that 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. British police confirmed the arrest was carried out in cooperation with the US Army and the FBI, on suspicion of offences relating to protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any connection to the officer.S1

Tyner enlisted in the US Army in 2008 and previously served in Afghanistan, Qatar and Iraq. FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and its allies. Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the alleged conduct of a senior soldier entrusted with sensitive information was a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent.S1

According to the report, UK authorities are expected to file an indictment against Tyner 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.S1S2