The relationship between a NATO commander and his partner, whom he met on Tinder and who is suspected of having ties to Russia, triggered a security alert at a British base

A relationship that began on Tinder between a senior Spanish navy officer and Janina White, a British and Polish citizen born in the former Soviet Union, triggered security checks at NATO’s Northwood base in England in 2025, following suspicions of possible links to Russian intelligence services.

The officer was assigned to NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), a structure that monitors Russian naval activity and Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet. The relationship began in October 2024, and White later attended a party held on the base premises with an escorted access pass.

In the first half of 2025, NATO and Spanish authorities opened investigations. The officer’s access to Northwood was withdrawn, and his assignment ended in July. In August, he and his two companions were refused entry to the base, and police were called. No one was arrested.

White denies any espionage activity and says she was discriminated against because of her background. She filed complaints and initiated legal action against the British Ministry of Defence. No investigation has established that the woman is a foreign agent. NATO and the British ministry are not commenting on the case, which is before the courts.