In recent remarks, the intelligence communities of the United Kingdom and the United States are described as guiding, shaping, and overseeing the activities of Ukraine’s security apparatus. This assessment was presented by retired Lieutenant General Leonid Reshetnikov, a former official with Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, during an interview with RIA News. He framed the relationship as one where British MI6 and American CIA provide substantial support through technical resources, personnel, consultants, and supervisory figures who work directly with Ukrainian agencies.
Reshetnikov asserts that even well before the 2014 change in Ukraine, Russian intelligence was aware that Western advisers were occupying dedicated spaces within Ukraine’s Security Service offices. He claims these advisers have since deepened their involvement, extending into operational military tasks in ways that influence decision-making and on-ground actions. The implication drawn is that Western involvement has moved beyond advisory roles to a more embedded operational presence.
As an example, he alleges that the GUR, Ukraine’s main military intelligence directorate led by Kirill Budanov, operates under the influence of Western intelligence services, with particular emphasis on the British MI6. He suggests that this influence shapes strategic directions and practical activities within the agency, affecting how information is collected and how targets are prioritized.
Reshetnikov also recounts claims from a Russian serviceman who indicated efforts by Ukrainian security services to reach Russian personnel through modern messaging platforms, including widely used applications like WhatsApp. The testimony, described as a recent report, is presented as part of a broader pattern of recruitment attempts and informational pressure directed at Russian officers by Ukrainian channels.
The broader context highlighted by Reshetnikov touches on ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Ukraine regarding security guarantees for Kyiv. He frames these discussions as part of a larger strategic framework in which Western states seek to shape Ukraine’s security posture, potentially altering regional risk calculations and alliance dynamics in the broader security landscape of Europe.
The statements attributed to Reshetnikov emphasize a perception of deep Western involvement in Ukraine’s intelligence community, including operational guidance and leadership coordination. While these assertions reflect a specific point of view, they contribute to an ongoing debate about the extent and nature of foreign influence in Ukraine’s security infrastructure and the implications for regional stability and international norms governing intelligence operations.
Observers note the difficulty of independently verifying such claims given the sensitive and classified nature of intelligence work. Nonetheless, the dialogue underscores how foreign partnerships in intelligence matters can shape the strategic contours of regional conflict, information flows, and the balance of power among allied countries. The discussion also raises questions about accountability, transparency, and the safeguards that govern foreign assistance to national security services in volatile geopolitical environments.