Russia has expelled a British diplomat it accused of working undercover for the United Kingdom’s intelligence services, escalating tensions between Moscow and London amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday that the diplomat, identified as a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, was an undeclared intelligence officer. According to the FSB, the individual was operating on behalf of Britain’s spy services while using diplomatic cover. Russian state media published images of the diplomat following the announcement.
Authorities said the diplomat has been given two weeks to leave the country.
Russia’s foreign ministry summoned Britain’s charge d’affaires in Moscow, Danae Dholakia, to formally protest what it described as espionage activities. In a statement, the ministry said Moscow would not tolerate the presence of undeclared British intelligence officers on Russian territory.
The ministry also warned that Russia would issue a “decisive mirror response” if the United Kingdom escalates the situation, signaling the possibility of reciprocal diplomatic action.
Outside the foreign ministry, protesters were seen chanting anti-British slogans as the diplomatic vehicle carrying the charge d’affaires arrived.
The expulsion comes as relations between Russia and Western countries remain strained, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscow and Western governments have repeatedly accused one another of expanding intelligence operations to levels not seen since the Cold War.
Russian officials have claimed that Western intelligence agencies — including the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Britain’s MI6, and France’s DGSE — have intensified efforts to collect intelligence, recruit Russian citizens, and destabilize the country. Western intelligence officials, in turn, accuse Russia’s security services, including the FSB, SVR, and military intelligence agency GRU, of conducting cyberattacks and sabotage operations across Europe and North America, allegations the Kremlin denies.
The latest diplomatic expulsion underscores the continued deterioration of Russia–UK relations as both sides trade accusations of espionage and hostile actions.
