The US Army has named Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Carroll Tyner as the officer arrested in Britain over suspected espionage links to Russia. Tyner, who was stationed at a Nato military headquarters, is accused of attempting to assist Russian intelligence by obtaining sensitive military information.According to Defense News, citing a US Army official, Tyner, 41, was arrested in the United Kingdom as part of an investigation led by London’s Counter Terrorism Policing. The FBI and US Army Counterintelligence Command are also assisting with the investigation.The allegations against Tyner centre on suspected attempts to assist Russian intelligence and obtain or disclose protected information. He was arrested under Sections 1 and 3 of Britain’s National Security Act 2023, which criminalise obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service.FBI director Kash Patel described the arrest as a serious national security concern.“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” Patel said.According to The Wall Street Journal, Tyner was caught in an undercover sting operation after unknowingly speaking with British officials. He reportedly believed he was communicating with potential Russian contacts.Tyner joined the US Army in January 2008 as a human resources officer, holding the military occupational specialty 42H. According to the US Army, his previous deployments included Afghanistan, Qatar and Iraq.According to ABC News, Tyner also served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg between 2011 and 2013. He was assigned to Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire, which houses Nato’s allied rapid reaction corps headquarters, at the time of his arrest.The case has raised concerns over the security of sensitive information within Nato’s military command structure. The Allied rapid reaction corps (ARRC) is a multinational headquarters responsible for planning and coordinating land-force operations during military crises. Its work involves military planning, operational coordination and the deployment of allied forces.Brig General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of US Army Counterintelligence Command, also warned about insider threats.“The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” Stinchon said.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement in the case, saying Moscow had nothing to do with Tyner’s arrest.Meanwhile, British police have searched two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation. Tyner could face prosecution in Britain, followed by separate proceedings under the US military justice system.