Three detained near London on suspicion of espionage for Russia

18 September 2025 , 21:35

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Three detained near London on suspicion of espionage for Russia

The Metropolitan Police has announced that three people were arrested near London on Wednesday on suspicion of spying for Russia.

The suspects — two men and a woman aged between 35 and 46 — were detained at two addresses in Essex, according to a police statement.

Accused of breaching the National Security Act (NSA), they were transported to a police station in London.

The three have been released on bail while investigations continue. 

In response to the development, Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Command, noted that Britain was witnessing an “increasing number” of “proxies” recruited by foreign intelligence agencies.

“Indeed, two young British men are awaiting sentencing after they were recruited by the Wagner Group — effectively the Russian state — to carry out an arson at a Ukrainian-linked warehouse,” he said, referring to an incident that caused £1 million (€1.15m) of damage in the English capital in March 2024.

“They are facing potentially lengthy custodial sentences, although, to be clear, today’s arrests are in no way connected to that investigation,” Murphy added.

The UK arrests occurred on the same day that Lithuanian authorities announced a Russia-backed network had planned arson attacks across Europe. 

Vilnius claimed the group, allegedly linked to the Russian military intelligence service GRU, was responsible for a series of explosions across the continent last year.

Last summer, parcels being couriered by DHL and DPD exploded in the UK, Germany, and Poland.

Lithuania reported that two of the 15 suspects had also committed an arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius last year.

Searches in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia uncovered more incendiary devices, which authorities believe could have been used in future attacks.

Meanwhile, Latvia’s security service stated it had arrested a man for allegedly providing Russia with information about Latvian military sites, training exercises, and NATO troops stationed in the country.

Sophia Martinez

World Affairs Correspondent