Scottish military instructor who spied for Russia jailed in Ukraine

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Scottish military instructor who spied for Russia jailed in Ukraine7 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleIona YoungBBC ScotlandSlidstvo. InfoCutmore has been in custody in Ukraine since his arrest last yearA Scottish man who worked as a military instructor in Ukraine but was recruited to work as a Russian spy has been jailed in the country for eight-and-a-half years. Ross David Cutmore, from Dunfermline in Fife, admitted disclosing "unauthorised information" on the deployment of Ukrainian forces and foreign military instructors.

Cutmore - who arrived in Ukraine in early 2024 - was also accused of discussing terrorist attacks and illegally possessing a pistol supplied by the Russians. He admitted his guilt at the Kyiv District Court in Odesa on 30 April under a plea deal and had co-operated with the investigation, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Cutmore was arrested last year after an investigation by the Ukrainian security service.

The Details

The probe found he had passed on the location coordinates of Ukrainian units, photographs of training areas and information about military personnel. He also collected data on facilities in Odesa, discussed the possibility of using explosive devices and attempted to gain access to the command of military units. For one of the tasks he is said to have received 6,000 US dollars (£4,400) Ukrainian prosecutors officeCutmore was sentenced after agreeing a plea deal with prosecutorsSlidstvo.

InfoThe Ukrainian authorities said Cutmore had co-operated with the investigationThe Ukrainian security service said he initially travelled to Ukraine to work as an instructor in January 2024 but gave up this work in September and began looking for "easy money" in pro-Kremlin online communities. He was then recruited by an officer from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) who offered him cash in exchange for co-operation. The Ukrainian authorities said Cutmore also received instructions from the FSB to prepare a series of terrorist attacks.

They said he was given instructions for making an improvised explosive device, as well as the coordinates of a weapons cache from which he took a Makarov pistol with two loaded magazines. He was detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) counterintelligence officers at the planning stage in October last year.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.