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. The dramatic detention, which Ukrainian authorities described as the culmination of months of covert surveillance and investigation, has sent ripples through diplomatic and military circles, raising fresh questions about the security of foreign volunteers and instructors working in Ukraine’s embattled defense sector.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and Prosecutor’s Office, the unnamed British man arrived in Ukraine in January 2024, presenting credentials in firearms and tactical training. Initially, his arrival seemed unremarkable—he joined other foreign volunteers offering expertise to Ukrainian forces, first training mobilized personnel in Mykolaiv, a city perilously close to the southern front line, and later working with Ukrainian border guard units. As reported by BBC, prosecutors in Kyiv confirmed, “He conducted instructional sessions for military personnel in Mykolaiv,” and subsequently contributed to border defense operations.
But by late September 2024, the man’s trajectory changed dramatically. He abruptly ceased his instructor duties and relocated to Odesa, a strategic Black Sea port city. There, he began advertising his services in pro-Kremlin internet groups—a move that, according to the SBU, placed him squarely on the radar of Russian intelligence operatives. The SBU stated that the man “offered his willingness to spy on various pro-Kremlin internet groups,” a claim echoed by multiple Ukrainian authorities and prosecutors.
It was in Odesa that the suspect established direct contact with an FSB handler. Prosecutors allege that he “agreed to provide military information for money,” setting in motion a series of espionage activities that would ultimately lead to his arrest. The investigation revealed that by May 2025, the man was transmitting sensitive details to Russian intelligence, including the locations of Ukrainian military units, photographs of training areas, and information about foreign instructors and military personnel—data that could potentially jeopardize the safety and security of Ukraine’s defense forces. As The Sun reported, authorities said, “There is evidence of him transmitting the location of units, photographs of training areas and information about military personnel.”
His tasks reportedly escalated in both scope and danger. Investigators say he gathered intelligence on military facilities in Odesa, attempted to gain access to additional units, and even discussed “the possibility of using explosive devices.” The SBU claims that Russian special services provided the man with instructions for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as well as coordinates for a hidden weapons cache. Following these instructions, he retrieved a pistol and two loaded magazines from the drop site—a move prosecutors interpret as preparation for terrorist attacks.
For one of these assignments, the British man allegedly received a payment of $6,000 (approximately £5,148), according to statements from the Kyiv Prosecutor’s Office and corroborated by BBC and The Sun. The SBU asserted, “He had professional skills in fire and tactical training,” emphasizing the potential threat posed by someone with such expertise acting on behalf of a hostile intelligence service.
Ukrainian counterintelligence, working in tandem with the SBU and other security units, meticulously documented the suspect’s activities over several months. Their efforts culminated in his arrest at a temporary residence in Kyiv. Photographs released by prosecutors show the man sitting behind glass in a courtroom, his face pixelated to protect his identity. The SBU stated, “He was detained at his temporary residence in Kyiv,” and he is now being held without bail while a pre-trial investigation unfolds.
The charges against him are grave. He faces prosecution under Part 3 of Article 114-2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which covers the unauthorized dissemination of information about the deployment of Ukraine’s Armed Forces or other military formations during martial law. The penalty, if convicted, could be up to 12 years’ imprisonment, with the added prospect of property confiscation—a severe sentence reflecting the seriousness with which Ukraine treats espionage during wartime.
Ukrainian authorities have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with officials working to establish the full scope of the British national’s activities and to determine whether additional charges may be warranted. “An investigation is currently underway to determine all the details of the crime and any additional charges,” reported United24media.
The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged awareness of the case, stating it is “in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities.” However, British officials have thus far declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations or the identity of the accused, citing privacy and diplomatic considerations.
This case has unfolded against a broader backdrop of heightened tension and suspicion in Ukraine, where the war with Russia has made counterintelligence operations a matter of national survival. The SBU has reported several arrests of suspected spies and saboteurs in recent months, including a separate incident on October 15, 2025, when a local resident in Odesa was detained for allegedly gathering intelligence for a planned Russian missile and drone attack on the port city. That individual, also recruited via online pro-Kremlin channels, was accused of monitoring Ukrainian air defenses and troop positions during air raids—further evidence, Ukrainian officials say, of Russia’s ongoing efforts to infiltrate Ukrainian society and undermine its military capabilities.
In the current case, the British man’s journey from foreign military volunteer to accused Russian agent has raised uncomfortable questions about the vetting and oversight of foreign nationals working in Ukraine’s defense sector. While many foreign volunteers have played vital roles in training and supporting Ukrainian forces, the risk of infiltration by hostile actors remains a persistent concern. As Ukrainian authorities and their international partners continue to grapple with these challenges, the arrest serves as a cautionary tale about the complex realities of modern warfare and espionage on Europe’s eastern frontier.
For now, the accused remains in custody, facing a lengthy legal process and the possibility of a substantial prison sentence. The case is likely to remain in the spotlight as investigators seek to untangle the full extent of the alleged espionage operation—and as both Ukrainian and British officials weigh the broader implications for security and cooperation in a time of war.
