Russian espionage targets Ukrainian troops in UK amid growing concerns

British soldiers have been alerted to the possibility that Russian spies are flying drones over UK military bases to gather intelligence on Ukrainian troops. The operation, known as Operation Interflex, involves training 34,000 Ukrainian recruits and has reportedly attracted "significant" interest from Russian intelligence services.

A guide circulated among British troops warns that Russian agents have not only employed drones but have also approached army trainers both online and in person to extract information, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"This government takes the security of our military establishments very seriously. There are a range of robust measures to protect our people and sites," a Ministry of Defence spokesperson emphasized.

The Field Army Threat Handbook, published last October, details Moscow's attempts to infiltrate British military support for Ukraine. It highlights that Russian intelligence services (RIS) routinely use a variety of reconnaissance techniques, including drones, mobile surveillance, and even approaches from investigative journalists, to gather information on UK military activities, particularly the training of Ukrainian forces.

Training sites across the UK, including Salisbury Plain, Bovington Camp, Lydd Ranges, and Okehampton, have been used to prepare Ukrainian troops. While many Ukrainians undergo a basic 35-day training course covering first aid and firearms, others have participated in specialized training with the Royal Marines and Royal Engineers.

Though there is "little evidence" of drones being used to spy on these training exercises, the British Army's warnings echo Russian espionage tactics seen elsewhere in Europe. In Germany, for instance, Ukrainian soldiers were monitored by unidentified drones during training, leading instructors to integrate these intrusions into their preparations for UAV-heavy battlefields.

Recent incidents in Germany and Poland further underscore the persistent threat of Russian espionage. In Germany, two German-Russian nationals were arrested for plotting to sabotage a US base used to train Ukrainian troops, while in Poland, 18 individuals have been detained since last year for planning attacks on behalf of Russia and Belarus, including a plot to assassinate President Zelenskyy.

The British Army's handbook urges soldiers to remain vigilant, noting that the training of Ukrainian forces is of "significant intelligence interest" to hostile foreign intelligence services, including Russia. The document advises troops to be particularly wary of remotely piloted aircraft systems, physical reconnaissance, and attempts to gather information from both virtual and physical approaches.