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Scottish military instructor jailed in Ukraine for eight-and-a-half years after spying for Russia
A Scottish man who worked as a military instructor in Ukraine has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after admitting to spying for Russia. Ukrainian authorities say he supplied the FSB with coordinates of Ukrainian forces, training-area details, and information about personnel, while discussing terrorist attacks and illegally possessing a pistol. He was detained by Ukrainian security services in October 2025 and pleaded guilty on April 30, 2026.
Why It Matters
The case highlights ongoing cross-border espionage and the involvement of individuals in planned attacks, illustrating security challenges in Ukraine and abroad.
Timeline
6 Events
April 30, 2026: Plea deal and admission of guilt at Odesa court
April 30, 2026
Cutmore admitted guilt at Kyiv District Court in Odesa under a plea deal, confessing to disclosing unauthorised information about Ukrainian forces and foreign trainers, and cooperating with investigators. He was subsequently jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
October 2025: Detained by Ukrainian security services
October 2025
The Security Service of Ukraine counterintelligence detained Cutmore at the planning stage of an operation.
2025: Payment for a task and information gathering
2025
For a task, he is said to have received 6,000 US dollars. The investigation alleges he was instructed to prepare a series of terrorist attacks and was given information about weapons and training facilities, including coordinates and personnel data.
2025: Recruited by Russian FSB officer
2025
Cutmore was recruited by an officer from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) who offered cash in exchange for co-operation.
September 2024: Ceased instructor work and sought easy money
September 2024
He gave up his work as an instructor in Ukraine and began looking for easy money in pro-Kremlin online communities.
January 2024: Arrival to Ukraine as a military instructor
January 2024
Cutmore initially travelled to Ukraine to work as a military instructor.