Several Men Detained Near RAF Fairford in Britain as Police Investigate Possible Terror Plot

British police detained several men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of illegally possessing or using explosives.

Gloucestershire Police reported this.

The U.S. Air Force uses RAF Fairford as a main forward operating base for deploying strategic bombers in Europe. U.S. B-52H, B-1B, and B-2A bombers regularly arrive there as part of Bomber Task Force missions.

Counterterrorism police have joined the investigation. Law enforcement officers are examining the circumstances of the detentions and any possible links between the suspects and preparations for a crime.

A major incident was declared in the Whelford area following the detentions. British police cordoned off part of the area, while bomb disposal teams are examining several vehicles.

Local residents from several houses were evacuated to a community center. Armed police officers are stationed near the main gate of RAF Fairford.

Authorities have not said that they prevented a terrorist attack or confirmed that the detainees were planning an attack on the air base. Investigators are also determining the possible motives and links of the suspects.

Recently, attacks on defense industry facilities in Britain by pro-Palestinian activists have increased. British law enforcement agencies have also stepped up their focus on possible sabotage activities by Russian agents in the country.

For example, executives of British defense companies supplying weapons and drones to Ukraine were warned of an increased risk of espionage by Russia.

The British government is increasing its focus on the security of the defense industry amid a series of incidents in Europe. Previously, Western law enforcement agencies stated that Russian intelligence services may have been planning attacks on executives of German defense companies.

According to British intelligence, the threat posed by Russian intelligence services has increased significantly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2024, the number of MI5 investigations related to state threats increased by 48%.

The GRU plays a particularly important role in these operations. British authorities have officially linked units 29155, 26165, and 74455 to Russian military intelligence, saying they are involved in sabotage activities, cyber operations and information attacks.

As of July 2026, London had imposed sanctions on three GRU units and dozens of Russian intelligence officers.

Russia also uses criminal financial networks to support its operations. As part of Operation DESTABILISE, Britain’s National Crime Agency recorded 129 arrests and seized more than £25 million in cash and cryptocurrency in the United Kingdom.

Investigators established links between Russian-speaking money-laundering networks and people connected to Russian intelligence services.