Spanish NATO officer suspended from duty for dating Russian-born woman

A MILITARY OFFICER FROM Spain—a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member—has been suspended from duty following an investigation into his relationship with a woman born in the former Soviet Union, amid fears she may have been spying for Moscow.

The unidentified Spanish naval commander, a married father of two, served at the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) at Northwood Headquarters in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. MARCOM duties include the monitoring of Russian submarines, warships operating in United Kingdom waters and tracking sanctioned oil tankers from the Russian ‘shadow fleet’—a network of tankers used by the Russian state to clandestinely transport crude oil and evade international sanctions.

The Spaniard reportedly met Janina White, 49, on the online dating app Tinder in October 2024. White is believed to have been born in the Soviet Union but relocated to Poland and then to the United Kingdom as a teenager. She currently resides in Romford, London and holds joint Polish-British nationalities. Shortly prior to entering into a romantic relationship with the Spanish naval commander, White reportedly split from her British husband. The NATO commander is also believed to have separated from his wife shortly before starting a relationship with White.

Initial concerns were raised in December 2024 when, according to court documents, the couple attended a Christmas function at Northwood Headquarters. The following day, White reportedly accompanied her boyfriend to Oeiras, Portugal, while he attended an official meeting at Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. The facility serves as NATO’s primary platform for integrating United States maritime forces into the Alliance’s operations. White maintains this was her only visit of substance to a NATO facility and insists she never entered classified areas.

However, the visit triggered parallel security investigations by NATO and Spanish military authorities. On June 19, 2025, the base commander revoked the Spanish officer’s access pass pending the inquiry’s outcome. By the summer of 2025, Spanish authorities had suspended his security clearance and formally terminated his posting to MARCOM. In August 2025, the couple attempted to enter Northwood Headquarters but were denied access, with police called to the scene; no arrests were made. The commander was eventually recalled back to Spain.

In a further twist, according to White, while visiting her father in St. Petersburg, Russia, she was approached by a man identifying himself as a Federal Security Service (FSB) officer named “Andrei”, who invited her for coffee and questioned her for two hours—primarily about the investigation and her Spanish partner’s work. White denies providing information to “Andrei” or that she has any connections to Russian intelligence. She is seeking a judicial review and has filed a discrimination case against the British Ministry of Defence, alleging she was discriminated against because of her Russian heritage. The pair, now separated, claim they feel betrayed by their respective countries, and insist the investigation was triggered by a rumor started by partners of other officers stationed at Northwood.

A MARCOM spokesman said that “MARCOM does not comment on personal matters. NATO remains fully committed to protecting allied personnel, safeguarding classified information, and maintaining the trust and security upon which the alliance depends”. A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson added “it would be inappropriate to comment on matters subject to ongoing legal proceedings”.

► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 16 September 2026 | Permalink