A former British soldier suspected of spying for Russia, after being lured by the promise of ‘easy money’, has been detained in Ukraine.
The man, who has been named in Ukrainian media reports, travelled to the country in 2024 to train Ukrainian troops, according to a statement from the security services, SBU.
While pretending to help Ukrainian forces defending their homeland from Russian advancements on the frontline, he was recruited by Russia’s FSB spy agency to pass on secret information.
He then carried out ‘reconnaissance and sabotage activities’ and prepared attacks on high-profile Ukrainian activists and an MP.
The Kremlin provided him with weapons and ammunition for the ‘targeted killings on the territory of Ukraine.’
Investigators believe the instructor distributed the firearms used to murder Ukrainian activists Demian Hanul and Iryna Farion and Ukrainian MP Andriy Parubiy.
Parubiy was assassinated in the Ukrainian city of Lviv – shot dead in broad daylight – on August 30.
He was earlier secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine. Farion was also killed in her home city of Lviv.
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The third assassination linked to the military trainer was Hanul, a Ukrainian nationalist campaigner wanted by Russia, who was gunned down in Odesa in March.
The killings sparked wide shock and condemnation across Ukraine – but were celebrated by hardline Russian war fanatics.
Among the information the instructor is alleged to have shared with the Russians are the coordinates of military training centres in the south of Ukraine and details about foreign instructors working for the Ukrainian armed forces.
The UK Foreign Office has not yet commented on the man’s arrest or on his identity.
It is understood that he had military experience from service in the British Army, during which he was deployed to the Middle East.
The SBU first released details about his arrest in October, but further information on his case emerged today when Ukrainian media reported his name.
The man has been detained and is in custody, while an investigation is ongoing.
Metro has contacted the UK Foreign Office for a comment.
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