The 24-year-old sailor was arrested at his home on Tuesday, according to a statement from Scotland Yard in London. He has been formally charged with preparing for espionage.
Assigned to a naval vessel with broad access to classified intelligence, the man is suspected of collecting material and then attempting to contact Russian authorities. According to British media, he tried, among other things, to translate a message into Russian.
The alleged offence is said to have taken place between November 2024 and May 2025.
The case is not linked to the high-profile suspicions of a terrorist plot at Fairford Air Base, the Metropolitan Police says. In that case, the British government has pointed to a connection with Iran.
