Moscow (Agencies): Russia has ordered the expulsion of two British diplomats, accusing them of engaging in espionage activities, the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Monday. The diplomats, identified as the second secretary of the UK Embassy and the husband of the first secretary of the embassy’s political department, have been given two weeks to leave the country after their accreditation was revoked.
According to the FSB, its operatives uncovered an “undeclared intelligence presence” at the British Embassy in Moscow. The expelled diplomats were allegedly involved in intelligence and subversive activities that posed a threat to Russia’s security. The agency also claimed that they provided false information when obtaining permission to enter the country, violating Russian law.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned a British Embassy representative regarding the matter, emphasizing that the decision to expel the diplomats was made in coordination with other agencies. Meanwhile, the FSB reiterated that it would continue to counteract foreign intelligence operations using all available measures.
This marks the latest diplomatic standoff between Moscow and London. In November, a British diplomat was expelled under similar espionage allegations, while in August, six British diplomats were also ordered to leave Russia. At the time, the UK Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as “malicious and baseless”.
The latest expulsions further strain already tense Russia-UK relations, as Moscow continues to clamp down on foreign intelligence operations amid heightened geopolitical tensions.