Russia has expelled two British diplomats after accusing them of espionage activities, the Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed. The FSB stated that its operatives uncovered an “undeclared intelligence presence” at the UK Embassy in Moscow.
“The Federal Security Service’s counter-intelligence operations exposed the unreported intelligence presence of the United Kingdom under the cover of the country’s embassy in Moscow,” the FSB stated.
The diplomats, identified as the second secretary and the husband of the first secretary from the embassy’s political department, were alleged to have engaged in intelligence and subversive work that posed a threat to Russia’s national security.
The FSB further claimed that the diplomats had provided false information during their entry into Russia, violating the country’s laws. As a result, the Russian Foreign Ministry revoked their accreditation and ordered them to leave within two weeks. The ministry also summoned a representative from the British Embassy to address the matter.
This expulsion follows a pattern of similar actions. In November, the FSB expelled a British diplomat under similar charges, accusing him of conducting espionage and providing false information. In August, six other British diplomats were ordered out for similar reasons.
The British Foreign Office has consistently denied the accusations, labeling them as “malicious and baseless.” Despite this, Russia has signaled its continued commitment to counteracting what it describes as foreign intelligence operations.
The ongoing tension between the two nations reflects broader geopolitical strains, with diplomatic relations worsening in recent years over a variety of issues, including espionage allegations.
