A recent development has seen a British diplomat and the spouse of another diplomat being expelled from Russia, as confirmed by the country’s domestic security service. This move is believed to be a response to the UK expelling a Russian official in the previous month. The Foreign Office has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations that the embassy personnel were being ousted on grounds of espionage. The Federal Security Service (FSB) disclosed that the individuals have had their accreditation revoked and must depart Russia within a fortnight due to the discovery of “signs of intelligence and subversive work” by both men.
Throughout the last year, a total of seven British diplomats have been expelled from Russia by Moscow over allegations of espionage – a claim that the UK vehemently denies. The relationship between the UK and Russia has deteriorated significantly in the aftermath of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. Following Moscow’s expulsion of a British diplomat in November 2024, the UK retaliated by expelling a Russian diplomat last month. Conceivably in response to this, Moscow has now taken reciprocal action by expelling the diplomats on accusations of espionage. The FSB released a statement indicating that the two individuals provided “false information about themselves when receiving permission” to enter Russia. There has been no official comment from the UK Foreign Office on the matter.
The expulsion of these diplomats seems to mark the first instance of western diplomats being ousted from Moscow since Russia and the US engaged in discussions to restore diplomatic ties. Recent talks between Washington and Moscow in Turkey aimed at reinstating staff at their respective embassies after a series of mutual expulsions. Russia, following the talks in Istanbul, announced that it would be sending a new ambassador, Alexander Darchiev, to Washington. Tensions between Britain and Russia have further escalated in light of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s introduction of measures supporting Ukraine, such as an increase in defence expenditure and the proposal for a “coalition of the willing” to deter Russia from launching further incursions in the event of a peace agreement. This commitment includes deploying troops and aircraft to aid in upholding peace initiatives
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