US soldier tried to pass secret data about Abrams to Russian intelligence
Фото: DoD US
A 22-year-old American soldier was arrested on suspicion of attempting to pass classified information about the M1A2 Abrams battle tank to a representative of Russian intelligence.
This was reported by the US Department of Justice.
The detainee is Taylor Adam Lee, an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. According to federal prosecutors, he had access to materials with the highest level of secrecy (TS/SCI) and in June 2025, investigators suspect, he attempted to contact a person he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer.
Investigators say Lee publicly stated online that he was willing to “voluntarily assist the Russian Federation in any way he could.” In July, he allegedly transferred parts of a tank’s equipment to a secret storage facility in El Paso, Texas, and then told a contact: “Mission accomplished.”
According to the FBI, the soldier acted with the intention of obtaining Russian citizenship in exchange for disclosing classified information.
Lee was charged with several counts, including violating the Espionage Act and attempting to illegally export military technology, a violation of the Arms Export Control Act. The court ordered him to be held without bail.
The commander of U.S. Army Counterintelligence, Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, called the incident a serious warning about internal threats within the military.
FBI counterintelligence representative Roman Rozhavsky emphasized:
“The arrest is a signal to anyone who would consider betraying the United States, especially those who have sworn allegiance to their country.”
Recall that earlier, representatives of the Australian defense department partiallyblamed the delay in the transfer of M1A1 Abrams tanks on resistance from the United States.
As reported later, Australia has delivered the first batch of M1A1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine . The remaining combat vehicles will be delivered in the coming months.
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.