On August 6, 2025, Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army, was arrested in El Paso, Texas, for allegedly attempting to transmit sensitive military information to Russia. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Lee is charged with violating the Espionage Act and the Arms Export Control Act.

According to federal prosecutors, Lee, who held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance, attempted to provide classified data regarding the M1A2 Abrams tank to an individual he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer. The investigation revealed that he had communicated online about his willingness to assist the Russian government and expressed a desire for Russian citizenship in exchange for his cooperation.

In June 2025, Lee allegedly sent restricted technical data about the Abrams tank and later met with the supposed Russian agent in July, where he handed over an SD card containing sensitive information. During this meeting, he also discussed providing physical components from the tank. Following the meeting, he reportedly delivered what appeared to be tank hardware to a storage unit in El Paso, Texas, and later messaged the contact with the phrase, 'Mission accomplished.'

Lee's actions come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, particularly in light of Russia's ongoing military operations in Ukraine. The Justice Department noted that the information Lee attempted to share could be of significant value to Russian military intelligence, especially as the U.S. has supplied similar tanks to Ukraine.

Brigadier General Sean Stinchon of the Army Counterintelligence Command emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the arrest serves as a reminder of the threats facing the U.S. Army and the importance of safeguarding military secrets. Lee is currently being held without bond, and it remains unclear if he has secured legal representation.