Ukraine Arrests British Military Instructor Spying for Russia and Plotting Terrorist Attacks in Kyiv

Ukrainian authorities detained a British national in Kyiv on charges of spying for Russia and preparing terrorist attacks.

“Ukrainian prosecutors released pixelated images of the man appearing in court A British man has been detained by Ukrainian security services and accused of spying for Russia”

BBC

He arrived in January 2024 to work as a military instructor.

BBC

Reports indicate he trained personnel in Mykolaiv and later moved on, with some sources saying he joined a border unit or relocated to Odesa before his arrest.

Prosecutors and Ukraine’s security services allege he passed sensitive military information to Russian intelligence in exchange for money and received instructions on making explosives.

He is being held without bail amid a pre-trial investigation and could face up to 12 years in prison.

Several reports note that the UK government is aware of the situation and is in contact with Kyiv.

Some sources call this the first known case of a British national charged with espionage in Ukraine.

Investigators allege the man provided sensitive military information to Russian intelligence.

This information included locations of Ukrainian units, photos of training areas, personnel details, and data about foreign military advisers and training center locations.

Daily Express

Multiple outlets report that he offered his services through pro-Kremlin online groups and was compensated for his tasks.

The payments are reported as around $6,000 for one task or over £5,000 in total.

Reports also indicate he attempted to access military units and discussed the use of explosives while gathering intelligence on facilities.

Ukrainian security services say the FSB provided instructions for manufacturing explosives.

“A British man residing in Ukraine has been chargedwith espionage for Russia, according to Ukrainian authorities”

Daily Express US

They also directed the suspect to retrieve a pistol, ammunition, and other weapons from hidden caches.

Authorities allege he was preparing terrorist attacks.

Some outlets add that he discussed improvised explosive devices and took weapons from a cache.

One report further alleges he stole weapons.

Collectively, the allegations depict a transition from espionage to operational planning involving explosives and clandestine weapons access.

Accounts differ on the suspect’s movements and the timeline of alleged activities.

Several outlets say he trained in Mykolaiv after arriving in January 2024.

Daily Mail

West Asian outlet Evrim Ağacı adds that by late 2024 he shifted to Odesa and began direct contact with an FSB handler, reporting espionage from May 2025 onward.

Other reports highlight he joined a border unit, or that he worked near Mykolaiv through September 2024, then moved to Odesa before his arrest at a temporary Kyiv residence.

Legally, reports converge that he faces up to 12 years in prison and is held without bail.

“On October 29, 2025, Ukrainian counterintelligence officials announced the arrest of a British national in Kyiv, accusing him of spying for Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and preparing for possible terrorist attacks”

Evrim Ağacı

The UK Foreign Office is in contact with Kyiv as the pre-trial probe continues under Ukraine’s security services.

Evrim Ağacı

Mainstream outlets describe an ongoing investigation led by the SBU/SSU.

Tabloids add broader espionage context inside the UK, such as separate arrests in London and a 17-year sentence for a man linked to Russian operatives.

The case is presented as part of a wider counter-intelligence clampdown.