British soldiers are being encouraged to use the Signal messaging app instead of WhatsApp, amid reports that Russian forces used insecure UK numbers to direct airstrikes in Ukraine.
Signal has a higher level of encryption than WhatsApp.
Military sources said that secure channels should be used to discuss sensitive matters but denied that the advice had been issued in response to security breaches resulting from the use of British phones in Ukraine.
There are unconfirmed reports that three British special forces veterans were killed when Russian forces targeted a training camp in western Ukraine last week. At least 35 people died in the cruise missile attack on the Yavoriv base near the Polish border. It had been used by Nato forces to train the Ukrainian army.
Russian forces were able to locate the military training camp because the mobiles of British army veterans “lit up” the local phone network, according to the Daily Mail.
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The Ministry of Defence denied that the advice issued to serving personnel was a response to the airstrike but said that Signal was the preferred way of sending messages. The ministry said: “We are not asking personnel to delete WhatsApp from their work phones and the advice is not linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alternative messaging apps can be more appropriate for work-related communication due to different types of security settings.”
Britons have been told not to travel to Ukraine to volunteer to fight. However, a few serving personnel are among those who have gone to eastern Europe to take part in the war.
A “bored” 19-year-old serving in the Coldstream Guards was arrested by military police after returning from Ukraine, The Sun on Sunday reported. The soldier ignored orders to stay in Britain and travelled to Ukraine via Poland after becoming disillusioned with his mostly ceremonial duties protecting the Queen at Windsor Castle. Senior figures at the MoD were said to be “hugely relieved” that the young soldier had returned, although there are fears that three other serving personnel are still in Ukraine.
An army veteran who travelled to Yavoriv said that the guard had been “very open” about the fact he was still serving when the two volunteers crossed paths.
“He said he had been to the Falklands for six months but was bored in the UK and wanted to see some action and use his training,” the former serviceman said. “At first he had no intention of returning to the UK but people told him he should and that he was in trouble as going awol is a serious offence. Myself and other British people told him he should return, so in the end he has obviously listened.”
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The army said: “We are aware of a small number of individual soldiers who have disobeyed orders and gone absent without leave, and may have travelled to Ukraine in a personal capacity. We are actively and strongly encouraging them to return to the UK.”
The MoD said: “All service personnel are prohibited from travelling to Ukraine until further notice. This applies whether the service person is on leave or not. Personnel travelling to Ukraine will face disciplinary and administrative consequences.”
