UK in contact with Ukraine after British national accused of spying for Russia
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Ukraine's Security Service said in a media release that they had detained a foreign agent working for Moscow in Kyiv.
PHOTO: SSU.GOV.UA
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- Ukraine arrested a British ex-army instructor in Kyiv, accusing him of spying for Russia by sharing info on foreign military advisors.
- The British man, who arrived in 2024, allegedly trained soldiers, worked for border guards, and received instructions from Russian FSB.
- He's accused of seeking access to military command for US$6,000 and faces up to 12 years; UK is in contact with Ukraine.
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KYIV - Britain on Oct 30 said it was in contact with Ukraine after the arrest of a British ex-army instructor that Kyiv accused of spying for Russia.
Ukraine accused the man, arrested at his home in Kyiv earlier this week, of passing information to Moscow about other foreign military advisers in Ukraine and the coordinates of army training centres.
The Ukrainian prosecutor-general’s office said the man was a British national who arrived in Ukraine in 2024, had conducted military training for the army, and worked in the border guard before he agreed to collaborate with Moscow.
Britain’s foreign ministry told AFP on Oct 30 that it was “aware of reports that a British national has been detained in Ukraine”.
“We remain in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities,” the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in response to AFP’s query about the case.
The Russian FSB security services gave the individual instructions on making explosive devices and also provided him with a handgun and ammunition, Ukraine’s state security service said, while the prosecutor-general said he “attempted to establish access to the command of military units” in exchange for US$6,000 (S$7,800).
He faces up to 12 years in prison.
Both Moscow and Kyiv routinely announce the arrest of individuals they claim are aiding the war efforts of the opposing side, though arrests of foreign nationals are rare. AFP
