What began as a love relationship resulting from the ‘Tinder’ application has become a security alert for NATO. And a Spanish soldier from the international organization has been suspended for having a romantic relationship with an alleged Russian spy.
As explained by the British media ‘The Thelegraph’, the two began a relationship at the end of 2024, at which time the officer was assigned to the Atlantic Alliance base in Northwood. There, the soldier met a woman through the dating application ‘Tinder’, which led to a surreal plot.
The organization, after learning of the relationship, decided to initiate an investigation for fear that it was a breach for Russian espionage, and has concluded with the withdrawal of its accreditation.
Fear of Russian espionage
As detailed in the British media, the Spanish officer began dating Janina White, a woman born in Soviet Russia with British and Polish nationality. After starting a relationship, the Spanish soldier lost his position after suspicions that his partner was a Russian spy.
Specifically, the officer was part of the Allied Maritime Command and, according to the publication, the Spanish officer was suspended from his duties. British staff at Northwood subsequently removed his access card, and the base commander banned him from entering the facility while intelligence personnel conducted an investigation. Finally, in the summer of 2025 he was expelled from the base, which led to his return to Spain.
End of their relationship
After his expulsion, the Spanish commander decided to break off their relationship. However, the woman has denied to ‘The Telegraph’ that she is a Russian spy. In statements to the British newspaper, the woman explained that during a trip to Saint Petersburg, a Russian intelligence officer contacted her and invited her to have coffee.
During that conversation, the officer questioned her about the security investigation that NATO had opened and about her relationship with the Spanish commander. However, the woman assured that the soldier did not talk about work at home.
