Ukrainian authorities have detained a British military instructor on grave allegations of espionage and plotting assassinations on behalf of Russia. The arrest marks a significant and troubling development in the shadow war being waged within Ukraine's borders.
Details of the Alleged Espionage
The suspect is identified as Ross David Cutmore, 40, from Dunfermline. According to prosecutors in Kyiv, Cutmore was allegedly recruited by Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB. His purported mission was to "carry out targeted killings on the territory of Ukraine" between 2024 and 2025.
The Kyiv prosecutor's office stated that evidence shows Cutmore passed sensitive intelligence to his handlers. "In May 2025, he passed on the coordinates of the locations of Ukrainian units, photographs of the training facility and information about military personnel that could be used to identify them," an official said. Analysis of his correspondence reportedly confirmed he performed other tasks for Russian intelligence.
From British Army Deployment to Accused Spy
Ross David Cutmore's background adds a layer of complexity to the case. He is a former British soldier with previous deployments to the Middle East. He arrived in Ukraine early last year, initially to assist the Ukrainian military and later its border guard service, as part of the international support following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
According to reports, Russian FSB officers allegedly recruited him in Odesa, southern Ukraine. He was reportedly offered a payment of $6,000 for providing confidential information on the locations of Ukrainian military units around the city. Ukrainian intelligence suggests FSB operatives approached Cutmore after he posted adverts offering his services in pro-Russian online groups.
Assassination Plots and Grave Consequences
The allegations extend beyond intelligence gathering into active plotting. Ukraine's internal security agency claims Cutmore was sent instructions to build an explosive device and given coordinates to retrieve a pistol from a hidden cache.
Furthermore, Ukrainian media reports link Cutmore to providing weapons used in the murders of several high-profile individuals. He is suspected of involvement in the killings of activists Demyan Hanul and Iryna Farion, as well as MP Andriy Parubiy.
If convicted, Cutmore faces a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed: "We are providing consular assistance to a British man who is detained in Ukraine. We remain in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities."
The case emerges amidst Ukraine's concerted effort to recruit foreign veterans to its defence forces, a call made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the 2022 invasion. This arrest underscores the intense espionage and counter-intelligence battle raging alongside the conventional conflict.
