Diplomatic Tensions Rise as Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Spying Claims

Russia has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country over allegations of spying, marking the latest in a series of expulsions of embassy staff from both sides.

According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the diplomat provided false information when applying for entry and attempted to obtain sensitive information during informal economic meetings, as reported by state media.

His accreditation has been revoked, and he must depart within two weeks.

A UK Foreign Office spokesman labeled the move 'complete nonsense,' accusing Russia of conducting an 'aggressive and co-ordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats.'

Officials stated that Russia has been disseminating malicious and unfounded accusations against their operations.

The FSB further asserted that the diplomat 'intentionally provided false information' and noted suspicious activities linked to him, according to the state news agency Tass.

Following the expulsion, Danae Dholakia, the UK's charge d'affaires, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry but left without making any comments.

This expulsion is part of a continued cycle of tit-for-tat diplomatic actions between Russia and the UK, which has seen relations sour significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Earlier this year, Russia also expelled a British diplomat over similar allegations, leading to reciprocal actions from the UK.