NATO officer removed over ‘rumors’ Soviet-born girlfriend was a spy – Telegraph

The British-Polish solicitor has lived in Britain since her teens and speaks nine languages, including Russian A senior Spanish naval officer stationed with NATO in the UK became the subject of a counterintelligence investigation over his relationship with a British woman who was born in Soviet Russia, The Telegraph has reported.

The unnamed officer eventually had his security clearance revoked and was ostracized by fellow military personnel.

The couple, who have since separated, both believe they were betrayed by their respective countries over what the woman described as a “rumor” started by partners of other officers at the British base.

Janina White, 49, was born in Soviet Russia, moved to Poland as a child and emigrated to the UK as a teenager, the British newspaper reported on Monday.

She holds dual British-Polish citizenship and works as a solicitor in London.

According to her public professional profile, she speaks nine languages, including Russian.

White separated from her former husband, a prominent council leader, shortly before meeting the Spanish Navy officer in October 2024.

He had also recently separated from his wife.

The Telegraph: A NATO commander’s romance with a woman he met on Tinder triggered a security alert at a British military base over fears she was spying for Russia, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Spanish naval officer was dating Janina White, a UK-born Soviet national who was… pic.twitter.com/pmL9g4TvYC — Vineet (@cozyduke_apt29) September 14, 2026 Two weeks after meeting, the couple moved into a two-bedroom apartment in west London, White told the newspaper.

“We opened a joint bank account and started planning holidays and thinking about having babies,” she added.

Their problems began at a Christmas party in December 2024 at NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), where the Spanish officer was posted.

White attended the event on a one-day escorted visitor pass.

Read more UK wasted 20 years searching for ‘Russian mole’ in MI6 – Guardian Suspicions about her were subsequently reported to counterintelligence officers, prompting investigations by NATO and the Spanish Navy.