Russian intelligence services may be monitoring training of Ukrainian soldiers in Britain - The Times
Illustrative photo: Russia may be monitoring Ukrainian military training in Britain (pixabay.com)
Russian intelligence agents may use drones to spy on the training of Ukrainian troops in Britain. British instructors have already been warned about this possibility, The Times reports.
According to the new agency, Russian intelligence services are interested in Operation Interflex, under which Britain is training 34,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russian agents have likely attempted to gather information using drones that flew over military bases, as well as through inquiries made to British instructors.
Following such incidents, the British Ministry of Defence has taken serious measures to protect facilities and personnel, as reported by journalists.
The Times also notes that in October last year, a Field Army Threats Guide was released, mentioning attempts by Russians to learn details of British support for Ukraine. It indicated that Russian intelligence services employ various methods to spy on the training of Ukrainian troops.
The document emphasized that instructors should be prepared for the threat of Russian surveillance. However, according to a source in the Ministry of Defence, there is currently little evidence of drones being used for spying on the training.
What preceded
In July, Politico reported that in Germany, "unknown drones" are monitoring the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
A German lieutenant colonel commented to the news agency that at least some of these drones are used for "hostile purposes." In his opinion, the drones are linked to Russia.
Additionally, the Netherlands recently did not rule out sending instructors to train Ukrainian military personnel on Ukrainian territory.
