On April 30, the Kyivskyi District Court in Odesa announced the verdict against British citizen Ross David Cutmore, a former military instructor whom Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had suspected of working for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The man reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty, Slidstvo.Info reported from the courtroom.
According to investigators, at the end of October 2025, SBU counterintelligence detained the former foreign military instructor Ross David Cutmore in Kyiv. Law enforcement officials say the foreigner passed sensitive information about Ukraine’s Defense Forces to Russia and was preparing to carry out terrorist acts.
In early 2024, Ross David Cutmore arrived in Ukraine as a firearms and tactical training instructor for mobilized troops. Several months later, investigators say, he stopped that work and, seeking “easy money,” began offering his services to Russian special services. To do so, he posted “advertisements” in various pro-Kremlin online groups.
According to the SBU, after being recruited by an FSB officer, the foreigner provided the Russian side with data on foreign instructors working with Ukraine’s Defense Forces, as well as the coordinates of Ukrainian Armed Forces training centers in southern Ukraine where Cutmore had trained mobilized personnel.
“To prepare for the next tasks, the occupiers sent him instructions on how to make an improvised explosive device, as well as the coordinates of a cache from which he retrieved a pistol with two loaded magazines,” the SBU said in an official statement.
Ross David Cutmore was charged under Part 3 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized dissemination of information about the placement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations created under Ukrainian law, committed under martial law) and Article 263 of the Criminal Code (illegal possession of weapons and ammunition).
During the April 30 hearing at the Kyivskyi District Court in Odesa, the prosecutor requested that the proceedings be held in camera. When the judge asked for grounds, the prosecutor replied that “the substance of the charges will be announced.” The judge rejected the motion, finding no legal basis for a closed session.
Later, the prosecutor said that Ross David Cutmore had admitted guilt and had himself initiated the plea agreement. The prosecution asked the court to approve the agreed sentence of eight years and six months’ imprisonment.
Through an interpreter, the judge asked the Briton whether he had agreed to the deal voluntarily and whether there had been any pressure or intimidation. Cutmore replied that he had agreed voluntarily.
The judge explained to the foreigner that he was accused of disseminating information about the location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and its units under martial law for mercenary motives, with the aim of providing such information to a state carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine.
The judge also outlined the consequences of the simplified proceedings: Cutmore would be able to appeal only the length of imprisonment, but not the fact of his guilt. Cutmore then asked whether he would have the right to appeal if the court imposed a sentence of more than eight years in prison.
His defense attorney asked the court to approve the agreement and to take mitigating circumstances into account.
After deliberations, the judge approved the agreement signed on March 23, 2026, found Ross David Cutmore guilty, and sentenced him to eight years and six months in prison. The term will be counted from October 28, 2025, the date of his detention.
In addition, the foreigner must pay 49,406.32 hryvnias ($1,124) in procedural costs to the Ukrainian authorities.
