Web Desk (MNN); Russia on Thursday expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of operating as an undeclared intelligence officer, and warned that Moscow would not tolerate espionage activities on its soil.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) identified the diplomat, a second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, claiming he was working undercover for the United Kingdom’s intelligence services. Russian media also broadcast images of the official.
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, and lodged a formal protest over the incident.
In a statement, the ministry said Moscow had reiterated that it would not accept the presence of undeclared British intelligence operatives and cautioned that any escalation by London would be met with a “mirror response.” Demonstrators outside the foreign ministry chanted slogans as the British diplomat’s vehicle arrived.
The move comes amid heightened tensions linked to the Ukraine war, with Moscow and Western states repeatedly accusing each other of intensified espionage efforts. Russia has alleged that intelligence agencies from the United States, Britain and France have stepped up attempts to gather sensitive information and influence internal affairs, claims rejected by Western governments.
Western intelligence officials, in turn, accuse Russian agencies of conducting cyber operations and sabotage across Europe, allegations denied by Moscow.
Reacting to the expulsion, the British government said it was reviewing its response. The Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as unfounded, stating that actions against British diplomats undermine the conditions necessary for diplomatic missions to function.
