Russia has expelled a British diplomat, alleging involvement in espionage activities

Russia announced on Tuesday the expulsion of a British diplomat, accusing him of espionage, further straining the already tense relations between the two nations.

The FSB, Russia‘s security service, stated that the diplomat, whose image was prominently featured in news broadcasts, had deliberately provided false information upon his arrival in the country.

“In addition, the FSB has identified indications that this diplomat was engaged in intelligence and subversive activities that pose a threat to the security of the Russian Federation,” the agency noted in its statement.

There was no immediate response from the UK‘s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the British embassy in Moscow did not reply to inquiries for comment.

The TASS news agency reported that Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, indicated that the ministry had summoned the British ambassador, a common diplomatic action to convey a strong objection.

The FSB mentioned that the expelled diplomat was filling the position of one of six UK diplomats who were expelled earlier this year on similar espionage allegations.

Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, relations between Britain and Russia have deteriorated to their lowest point since the Cold War. The UK has participated in multiple rounds of sanctions against Russia and has supplied military aid to Ukraine.

Recently, Russia claimed that Ukraine had launched British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into its territory for the first time. President Vladimir Putin referenced this incident, along with the use of U.S. ATACMS ballistic missiles by Ukraine, as justification for Russia’s response, which included the launch of a new hypersonic missile targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on November 21.