Who is Taylor Adam Lee? The US soldier accused of trying to trade tank secrets to Russia

According to the DOJ, Lee’s efforts to share classified information began in May this year. By June, he had already expressed resentment toward the US government in messages to his supposed Russian contact. “The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” he allegedly wrote. He then added: “At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.”

Authorities say the information in question included technical data about the M1A2 Abrams -- the US Army’s main battle tank -- along with details on another armoured vehicle and broader combat operations.

Later that month, after discussing a specific tank component, Lee allegedly dropped off the actual physical part at a storage unit in El Paso. Once the handoff was done, he reportedly messaged his contact: “mission accomplished.”

Accused of ‘betraying’ the US

A warrant for Lee’s arrest was filed in the El Paso federal court on Tuesday. He made his first appearance before a judge the next day.

Federal investigators were quick to condemn the alleged actions. “Today’s arrest is a message to anyone thinking about betraying the US – especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland,” Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBI’s counter-intelligence division, told The Telegraph.

Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, head of the Army Counterintelligence Command, called the case “an alarming reminder of the serious threat” facing the US Army from within.

“Thanks to the hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command Special Agents and our FBI partners, Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice, and we will continue to protect Army personnel and safeguard equipment,” Stinchon said in a statement.

Espionage threat growing

Lee’s arrest comes amid a surge in insider and espionage cases within the US military.

Earlier this year, Chinese intelligence operatives reportedly approached US service members online, offering thousands of dollars in exchange for sensitive information about military exercises and radar systems.

In a separate case, former Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 15 years in prison last year for leaking classified documents on Discord, including details about the Russia–Ukraine war.

More recently, a retired Army officer working as a civilian Air Force employee pleaded guilty to sharing Russia–Ukraine war details on a dating app.

“These incidents show just how serious the threat is,” Brigadier General Stinchon warned. “Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice.”