A British national, reported to be a former member of the UK armed forces, has been arrested in Ukraine on serious allegations of espionage for Russia.
From Instructor to Alleged Spy
The Ukrainian Security Service, known as the SBU, stated that the man travelled to Ukraine in early 2024 with the initial purpose of working as a military instructor, training Ukrainian forces. However, the SBU alleges he was later recruited by Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB.
The primary motivation for his alleged betrayal, according to Ukrainian authorities, was the promise of making "easy money". His detention took place in October 2025, with further details, including his name, emerging in Ukrainian media reports on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
Serious Charges of Information Sharing and Terrorism
The accusations against the Briton are extensive. The SBU claims he passed sensitive official information concerning the Ukrainian military to his Russian handlers.
The compromised data is said to have included:
- The precise coordinates of military training centres located in southern Ukraine.
- Detailed information about foreign instructors working with the Ukrainian armed forces.
In a more severe escalation, the security service also alleges the man was preparing to commit terrorist attacks. He is accused of receiving instructions on constructing an improvised explosive device (IED) and being directed to the location of a pistol with two loaded magazines.
International Cooperation and Potential Consequences
A security source indicated that the SBU's investigation was conducted in coordination with British intelligence agencies. The suspect is currently being held on suspicion of passing unauthorised information to Russia.
If found guilty under Ukrainian law, he could face a prison sentence of up to 12 years. Sky News has contacted the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for an official comment on the case.
