Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of working undercover for Britain’s intelligence services.
The diplomat, a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, has been given two weeks to leave the country, according to Russian authorities.
The Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s main intelligence agency and successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said the diplomat was an undeclared officer operating in Russia. Russian media released photos of the diplomat following the announcement.
Moscow summoned Britain’s charge d’affaires in Russia, Danae Dholakia, to formally protest the alleged espionage. The Russian foreign ministry warned that such activities would not be tolerated and stated that any escalation by London could trigger a “decisive mirror response.”
Protesters gathered outside the Russian foreign ministry, chanting anti-British slogans as the charge d’affaires arrived in a diplomatic vehicle.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Both sides have accused each other of engaging in espionage at levels not seen since the Cold War.
Russia claims that Western intelligence agencies, including Britain’s MI6, the CIA, and France’s DGSE, have intensified efforts to steal state secrets, recruit insiders, and destabilize the country.
Conversely, Western officials have accused Russian intelligence services, including the FSB, SVR, and GRU, of conducting cyber attacks and sabotage campaigns across Europe and North America. Moscow denies these accusations
