Russia announced on January 15 that it is expelling a British diplomat, accusing them of espionage.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the United Kingdom in Moscow to deliver a strong protest, citing information received by Russian authorities that a member of the UK diplomatic staff belonged to British intelligence services.
“The individual’s accreditation is revoked. They must leave the Russian Federation within two weeks,” the ministry said, without naming the diplomat or specifying their role in the British Embassy.
This move comes amid a deterioration of diplomatic relations between Russia and the United Kingdom, linked to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, during which both countries have repeatedly expelled each other’s diplomatic personnel.
In March 2025, Russian authorities revoked the accreditations of two British embassy staff, accusing them of providing false information and conducting intelligence or subversive activities. In September 2024, six diplomats were expelled, followed by another in November 2024, all accused by Russia of espionage.
The United Kingdom has denied all accusations. London previously expelled a Russian defense attaché in May 2024 as part of “reciprocal measures” in response to similar Russian actions.
