Moscow, Mar 30: Russia on Monday ordered a British diplomat to leave the country within two weeks, accusing him of espionage and alleging activities that threatened national security—claims the United Kingdom has firmly denied.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said the diplomat was engaged in “intelligence and subversive activities,” including attempts to obtain sensitive economic information through unofficial meetings with Russian experts. The agency also alleged that the diplomat had deliberately provided false information while applying for entry into the country, adding that there were clear “signs of intelligence activity.”
British officials rejected the accusations outright. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office described the claims as “complete nonsense,” accusing Moscow of carrying out an “aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment” against British diplomatic staff. The UK also condemned what it called “malicious and baseless allegations,” asserting that it would not tolerate intimidation of its personnel or their families.
The expulsion marks the second such move by Russia against British diplomats this year, underscoring a continuing cycle of retaliatory actions between the two countries. Relations between Moscow and London have sharply deteriorated in recent years, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Earlier incidents have seen both sides expel diplomats and revoke accreditations in response to similar allegations. In 2025, Russia expelled two British officials, prompting reciprocal measures from the UK.
In the latest development, the UK’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow, Danae Dholakia, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the announcement. Russian state media also reported that the identity of the expelled diplomat had been made public.
The incident highlights the deepening diplomatic rift between Russia and Western nations, with tensions now widely regarded as being at their lowest point since the Cold War.
