A British former army instructor has been arrested in Kyiv and accused of spying for Russia while working as an adviser to the Ukrainian army, Ukrainian prosecutors said. The man allegedly passed information to Moscow about foreign military advisers in Ukraine and the coordinates of army training centres.
The Ukrainian prosecutor general's office claimed the man arrived in Ukraine in 2024, conducted military training for the army, and worked in the border guard before agreeing to collaborate with Moscow. The SBU, Ukraine's state security service, alleged the Russian FSB spy bureau gave him instructions on making explosive devices and provided a handgun and ammunition.
The suspect faces up to 12 years in prison if found guilty. Britain's Foreign Office said it was aware of reports that a British national had been detained in Ukraine and remained in close contact with Ukrainian authorities.
Separately, Russia launched an overnight attack on the north-eastern city of Sumy, injuring 11 residents, including four children, and damaging residential buildings and infrastructure. The local governor said the railway depot was hit, destroying several carriages.
In Russia, the western city of Oryol restricted heat and hot water supplies after Ukrainian drones hit a pipeline at a power plant. Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign minister confirmed that Russia has used the 9M729 cruise missile in combat, firing it 23 times since August.
