A Scottish man who travelled to Ukraine as a military instructor has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after admitting to spying for Russia during the ongoing war.
Ross David Cutmore, from Dunfermline in Fife, pleaded guilty in a court in Odesa to passing sensitive military information to Russia while Ukraine remained under martial law, per a Times of India report. According to Ukrainian media outlet Slidstvo-Info, Cutmore had arrived in Ukraine in January 2024 to work as a foreign military trainer.
Ukrainian authorities said he later left that role and began interacting with pro-Kremlin online groups in search of what officials described as “easy money”.
Alleged links to Russian intelligence
Per the TOI report, investigators said Cutmore was eventually recruited by an officer allegedly linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he shared coordinates connected to Ukrainian military positions, details related to foreign trainers and photographs of military training locations.
Officials also accused him of collecting information on facilities in Odesa and attempting to gain access to military command structures.
For one assignment, authorities claimed he received around 6,000 US dollars, or roughly £4,400.
Arrested before planned attacks
Ukrainian authorities further alleged that Cutmore discussed possible terrorist attacks and had been instructed to prepare explosive devices.
Officials said he was given instructions on how to assemble an improvised bomb and was directed to a hidden cache containing a Makarov pistol and loaded magazines.
Counterintelligence officers arrested him in October 2024 before any alleged attacks could be carried out.
Plea deal and conviction
During proceedings at the Kyiv District Court in Odesa on April 30, Cutmore admitted his involvement and agreed to cooperate with investigators as part of a plea agreement.
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He was convicted under Ukrainian laws related to the unauthorised disclosure of military information as well as the illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, per TOI report.
The case comes amid heightened security concerns in Ukraine as authorities continue to investigate alleged espionage and sabotage activities linked to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
