A British military instructor, once tasked with bolstering Ukraine's defences, is now detained in Kyiv, accused of being a Russian spy.

The case of Ross David Cutmore, 40, throws a harsh spotlight on the shadowy intelligence war running parallel to the frontlines. For Kenya and other nations reliant on international security partnerships, it is a stark reminder of the ever-present danger of insider threats, where a trusted ally can become a devastating liability.

From Trainer to Alleged Traitor

Ukrainian authorities allege that Cutmore, from Dunfermline, Scotland, was recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). His mission, according to the Kyiv prosecutor's office, was to help orchestrate “targeted killings on the territory of Ukraine” between 2024 and 2025.

Cutmore, a veteran of the British army with deployments in the Middle East, arrived in Ukraine in early 2024 to train military and border guard units. However, investigators claim that after a few months, he began offering his services to pro-Russian groups online, seeking "easy money".

A Web of Deceit

The accusations against Cutmore are severe and detailed. Prosecutors noted that in May 2025, he allegedly passed sensitive intelligence to his Russian handlers. This information reportedly included:

• Coordinates of Ukrainian military units.
• Photographs of a training facility.
• Identifying information on military personnel.

He was allegedly paid $6,000 (approx. KES 780,000) for one such task after being recruited in the southern city of Odesa. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) also stated that Cutmore was given instructions to build an explosive device and was directed to a hidden cache to retrieve a pistol.

If convicted, the former instructor faces up to 12 years in a Ukrainian prison. The British Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing consular assistance.

The case now moves through Ukraine's justice system, a chilling episode highlighting that in modern warfare, the most dangerous threats can come from within.