Russia has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country over allegations of spying, marking yet another point of friction in the increasingly tense relationship between the UK and Russia. According to Russian media, the Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that the diplomat provided false information when applying to enter the country and attempted to extract sensitive information during informal economic meetings.
The diplomat has had his accreditation revoked and is expected to depart within two weeks.
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson vehemently criticized the expulsion, branding it complete nonsense and accusing Russia of orchestrating an aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats. They further stated that Russia has been relentlessly propagating malicious and unfounded allegations about their diplomatic operations.
Russia's FSB alleges that the diplomat intentionally misled authorities when obtaining a permit to enter the country, asserting there were signs of intelligence activities observed.
His identity has been shared in Russian state media, which typically heightens concerns for the safety and security of diplomatic personnel.
In a related reaction, the UK's charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the diplomat's expulsion and left without making any comments.
This incident is the latest in a series of reciprocal expulsions that have characterized UK-Russia relations since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. The ongoing animosity has seen both nations expelling several diplomats in a tit-for-tat manner.
Earlier expulsion actions included a British diplomat being forced to leave in March 2025 based on spying allegations, which were also met with UK accusations of baseless claims by Russia.
In response, the UK retaliated by revoking the accreditation of a Russian diplomat and their family members, vowing to stand against intimidation directed towards British embassy staff and their families. The diplomatic standoff continues to highlight the fragility of relations between the two nations.
The diplomat has had his accreditation revoked and is expected to depart within two weeks.
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson vehemently criticized the expulsion, branding it complete nonsense and accusing Russia of orchestrating an aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats. They further stated that Russia has been relentlessly propagating malicious and unfounded allegations about their diplomatic operations.
Russia's FSB alleges that the diplomat intentionally misled authorities when obtaining a permit to enter the country, asserting there were signs of intelligence activities observed.
His identity has been shared in Russian state media, which typically heightens concerns for the safety and security of diplomatic personnel.
In a related reaction, the UK's charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the diplomat's expulsion and left without making any comments.
This incident is the latest in a series of reciprocal expulsions that have characterized UK-Russia relations since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. The ongoing animosity has seen both nations expelling several diplomats in a tit-for-tat manner.
Earlier expulsion actions included a British diplomat being forced to leave in March 2025 based on spying allegations, which were also met with UK accusations of baseless claims by Russia.
In response, the UK retaliated by revoking the accreditation of a Russian diplomat and their family members, vowing to stand against intimidation directed towards British embassy staff and their families. The diplomatic standoff continues to highlight the fragility of relations between the two nations.
