NATO Officer Suspended Over Relationship with Russian-Born Woman
A Spanish naval officer has been suspended from his NATO position in the UK amid concerns regarding his relationship with a Russian-born woman suspected of espionage. The officer, who remains unnamed, was serving at the Allied Maritime Command (Marcom) in Northwood, Hertfordshire, when he began dating Janina White, a dual US-Polish national, in October 2024. Reports indicate that NATO and Spanish authorities initiated security investigations into their relationship during the first half of 2025, leading to the suspension of the officer's national security clearance by Spain.
As a result of these investigations, the officer was barred from the Marcom base and returned to Spain in the summer of 2025. White, who is 49 years old and originally from the Soviet Union, has denied any connections to Russian intelligence. She stated, "I definitely know I am not a Russian spy. The last time I checked I wasn’t," emphasizing that no evidence has been presented to support claims of her being a foreign agent. White is currently seeking a judicial review regarding the intelligence officials' classification of her as a security risk and has filed a discrimination case against the Ministry of Defence, alleging differential treatment due to her Russian heritage.
The couple attempted to access the Northwood base in August but were denied entry, prompting police involvement. The officer, who is a married father of two and had separated from his wife prior to the relationship, expressed that he has experienced a gradual process of social and professional isolation. In correspondence with a colleague, he noted the psychological toll on his family and the exclusion from social interactions.
Final Brief
Cdr Tim Pietrack, a spokesman for Marcom, stated that the organization does not comment on personnel matters, but emphasized NATO's commitment to protecting allied personnel and safeguarding classified information. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence also declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings related to the case.
