A British man in Ukraine has been accused of spying for Russia for money, Ukrainian authorities have claimed. The man had been paid for passing information to Russian intelligence after working as a military instructor near the front line in the southern city of Mykolaiv. The unnamed British national reportedly advertised himself as a spy using “various pro-Kremlin internet groups”, Ukraine’s security service (SBU) said. Authorities told the BBC there is evidence of him transmitting the location of units, photographs of training areas and information about military personnel.

According to prosecutors, the man had been in Ukraine since January 2024, conducting “instructional lessons for military personnel in Mykolaiv”. The man later worked for Ukrainian border units before he stopped working as a military instructor in September 2024. Afterwards, he moved to Odesa, where he established “contact with a representative of the Russian special service and agreed to provide military information for money”.

The man is also accused of gathering information about facilities in Odesa, attempting to access military units and even discussing “the possibility of using explosive devices”. The SBU said the man had been “preparing to commit terrorist attacks”, reportedly receiving £5,148 in payment for one of the tasks.

Russian spies also sent the man instructions about how to make explosive devices and where to find a cache of weapons, the SBU statement said, adding that the Brit then took a pistol and two loaded magazines from the stash. The man was eventually detained at his “temporary residence” in Kyiv.

He appeared in court this week and is being held without bail while a pre-trial investigation is conducted. He could face up to 12 years in jail.

Putin has warned of “destroying” foreign fighters fighting alongside Kyiv. Russia claimed it routinely intercepts English and French radio communications in active combat areas, accusing NATO of having troops on the ground, The Sun has reported.

NATO has denied this, stating its support for Ukraine is limited to supplying weapons, training, and intelligence, and does not involve deploying personnel.