Russia Expels British Diplomat Amid Escalating Espionage Claims

Russia has ordered a British diplomat to depart the nation, citing allegations of espionage. This action marks the latest instance of reciprocal expulsions between the two countries involving embassy personnel.

According to reports from state media, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) contends that the diplomat supplied inaccurate information during the application process for entry into the country. Furthermore, the FSB alleges that the individual sought to acquire sensitive information during informal economic discussions.

The diplomat’s accreditation has been formally revoked. Consequently, they have been instructed to leave Russia within a two-week timeframe.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office dismissed these accusations as “complete nonsense.” The spokesperson further accused Russia of orchestrating an “aggressive and co-ordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats.”

In a formal statement, the UK Foreign Office asserted that Russia has been disseminating “malicious and completely baseless accusations regarding their work.” The statement concluded by emphasizing that “The UK does not stand for intimidation of British embassy staff and their families.”

State news agency Tass reported that the FSB’s claims include the diplomat “intentionally provided false information” when securing a permit to enter Russia, and that “signs of intelligence activities” were detected. The diplomat’s name has also been circulated in Russian state media.

Following this development, the UK’s charge d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Reports indicate she departed the ministry without making any comments.

The current expulsion is part of an ongoing series of retaliatory measures exchanged between Russia and the United Kingdom. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly in recent years.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries have expelled a number of each other’s diplomats. Most recently, in March 2025, Russia expelled two British officials, alleging espionage. At that time, the UK Foreign Office similarly accused Moscow of making “malicious and baseless accusations” against its staff. In response to those expulsions, the UK revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, stating its refusal to tolerate the “intimidation of British embassy staff and their families.”