A NATO officer met a Russian woman on Tinder and invited her to a base in Britain
A NATO officer’s relationship with a woman he met on Tinder has become the subject of a security investigation. The woman is suspected of having ties to Russia, according to The Telegraph.
A romance between a senior Spanish Navy officer and a woman he met on Tinder triggered a large-scale security investigation at a British military base. The investigation was prompted by suspicions that his partner might be collaborating with Russia. However, no evidence was ever found that the woman was a Russian agent.
At the time, the officer was serving with the NATO Allied Maritime Command (Marcom) in Northwood, Hertfordshire. This is one of the key centers that monitors Russian military ships and submarines, as well as vessels of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
The officer’s relationship with 49-year-old Yanina White began in October 2024. The woman holds British and Polish citizenship; she was born in Soviet Russia and later moved to Poland and the United Kingdom.
Shortly after the romance began, White moved into the officer’s apartment in Ruislip. According to her, the couple opened a joint bank account, planned vacations, and even discussed having children.
The situation changed after White attended a Christmas party with the officer at the Northwood military base in December 2024. She was issued a one-day visitor’s pass.
In early 2025, “security concerns” arose within the command regarding the officer’s romantic relationship. Spanish and NATO authorities launched an investigation.
In June 2025, Northwood command revoked the Spanish military officer’s pass and barred him from entering the base until the investigation was complete. In July, Spain terminated his assignment to Marcom and recalled the officer home.
White categorically denies that she worked for Russia. She claims she was the victim of discrimination because of her place of birth.
“I know for a fact that I am not a Russian spy,” she told The Telegraph.
According to her, she never had access to classified information or secure areas of military facilities.
At the same time, White recounted that during a trip to St. Petersburg last month, she was allegedly invited for coffee by a man who introduced himself as Andrei and claimed to work for Russia’s Federal Security Service. According to the woman, the conversation lasted about two hours, and the man asked her about her former partner, his work at NATO, and their relationship.
White claims she did not know the details of her partner’s work, as they had agreed not to discuss work matters at home.
“I knew he dealt with the Russian shadow fleet and submarines. But discussing any details of that at home was strictly forbidden,” she said.
A separate incident occurred in August 2025. According to court documents, the officer, White, and another person attempted to enter the Northwood base, ostensibly to have lunch. The soldier and his guests were denied entry to the base, after which the police were called.
White insists she did not attempt to enter the military facility illegally. She claims she only wanted to help her former partner retrieve his belongings.
She has also filed complaints and is seeking a judicial review of the decision that labeled her a potential security threat. In addition, she has filed a lawsuit against the UK Ministry of Defense, alleging discrimination based on her place of birth:
“The entire government apparatus treated me like an enemy. I want to know why this decision was made, who made it, and I want this decision to be overturned.”
According to her, the suspicions led to her isolation and made her feel like an outcast.
At the same time, White’s former partner stated that the situation had a significant impact on his career and family. He claims that after many years of service, he began to be viewed as an “unwelcome outsider.”
Neither White nor the officer has been charged with espionage. There is also no evidence that the woman was a foreign agent.
Source: The Telegraph
As a reminder, a businesswoman in Germany is accused of spying for Russia.
