A man from the United Kingdom has been arrested in Ukraine on allegations of spying for Russia and planning acts of terrorism.
Prosecutors in Kyiv disclosed that the individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared classified data with Russian intelligence while employed as a military trainer. The suspect reportedly collected information regarding sites in Odesa, attempted to access military installations, and engaged in conversations about the potential use of explosive devices. Prosecutors claimed he was compensated £5,148 for a specific task.
Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, released a statement asserting that the man was preparing for terrorist activities. They added that instructions on creating an improvised explosive device were sent by Russian operatives, and they provided him with the location of a weapons cache, from which he allegedly took a pistol and two loaded magazines.
Reports indicate that the man arrived in Ukraine in January 2024 and conducted training sessions for military personnel in Mykolaiv, a city near the country’s southern front line. He later relocated to Odesa in September, where prosecutors claim he communicated with a Russian intelligence contact and agreed to sell military intelligence.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that in May, he shared the whereabouts of Ukrainian units, images of training grounds, and personal information about military staff. The SBU mentioned that he possessed expertise in fire and tactical training and openly advertised his willingness to engage in espionage on pro-Kremlin online forums.
The man was apprehended at his temporary dwelling in Kyiv and appeared in court this week. He is being held without bail pending a pre-trial investigation and could potentially face up to 12 years in prison based on Ukrainian security services’ statements.
The UK Foreign Office acknowledged the situation and stated that they are maintaining close communication with Ukrainian authorities.
This incident marks the first known case of a British citizen being charged with espionage in Ukraine.
In a separate development, three individuals aged 44, 45, and 48 were recently arrested in London on suspicion of aiding Russia’s foreign intelligence service, as reported by the Metropolitan Police. These suspects were apprehended by Counter Terrorism Policing in west and central London and are currently in police custody under the National Security Act.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized the growing trend of foreign intelligence services recruiting proxies for their operations. He warned individuals against engaging in criminal activities on behalf of foreign states within the UK, emphasizing the severe legal consequences that could follow.
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