Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)
Published August 6th, 2025
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U.S. Army Soldier Arrested in El Paso for Allegedly Trying to Share Tank Secrets with Russia
El Paso, TX (August 6, 2025) — A young active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss is facing serious federal charges after allegedly trying to pass sensitive military information to someone he believed was working for the Russian government.
Taylor Adam Lee, 22, was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted espionage and illegally trying to export military technology. According to federal investigators, Lee had access to highly sensitive information about the M1A2 Abrams tank — the U.S. Army’s main battle tank — and tried to share that information in exchange for Russian citizenship.
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| Fort Bliss |
FBI: Soldier Wanted to Help Russia
The FBI says Lee began reaching out to what he thought were representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense in May. By June, he had already sent technical data about the tank online. In one message, he wrote,
“The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” and even offered to help Russia in person, saying, “I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian Federation when I’m there in any way.”
In July, Lee reportedly met face-to-face with someone he believed was a Russian agent and handed over an SD cardpacked with documents about the M1A2 Abrams and other military vehicles. Many of the files were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information and had dissemination warnings — information he was not authorized to share.
But it didn’t stop there. Investigators say that Lee also attempted to deliver a piece of hardware from inside the tank. On July 31, he allegedly dropped it off at a storage unit in El Paso and messaged his contact, “Mission accomplished.”
Military and FBI Leaders Speak Out
“This arrest is a strong warning to anyone who would betray their country — especially those in uniform,” said Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “We will not tolerate it.”
Army leaders echoed that sentiment. Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, who oversees Army counterintelligence, said this case is a “serious reminder of the threats we face” and praised the teamwork that led to Lee’s arrest.
Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg said Lee was attempting to expose U.S. vulnerabilities to a foreign adversary and that such acts “will be met with serious consequences.”
What Happens Next
Lee had a Top Secret security clearance and access to compartmented information. He’s now facing federal prosecution led by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Texas.
Top Secret clearance is the highest level of security clearance granted by the U.S. government. It allows an individual access to information that, if disclosed without authorization, could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. This clearance is typically required for individuals working in sensitive military, intelligence, or government positions. To obtain Top Secret clearance, a person must undergo an extensive background investigation, including checks into financial history, foreign contacts, criminal record, and more. The clearance must also be renewed periodically, and individuals are expected to follow strict protocols for handling and sharing classified information.
The FBI and Army Counterintelligence Command worked together on the investigation. Officials emphasized that this case remains active, and Lee — like all criminal defendants — is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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