RUSSIA has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country, intensifying ongoing tensions with the United Kingdom.
Russian authorities accused the diplomat of providing false information when entering the country and attempting to gather sensitive data during informal meetings. The Federal Security Service claimed it detected signs of intelligence activity.
Officials revoked the diplomat’s accreditation and instructed him to leave within two weeks.
The UK government strongly rejected the allegations. A spokesperson from the Foreign Office described the claims as baseless and accused Russia of targeting British embassy staff through ongoing harassment.
The dispute reflects a broader pattern of diplomatic retaliation between the two countries. Both sides have expelled officials in recent years, leading to a steady decline in relations.
Following the latest incident, Danae Dholakia, the UK’s senior representative in Moscow, was called to the Russian Foreign Ministry. She left the meeting without making a public statement.
Relations between the two nations have remained strained since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine War. Diplomatic expulsions have become a common response from both governments.
Earlier incidents include Russia removing British officials over similar accusations, while the UK has taken reciprocal action against Russian diplomats.
This latest move highlights the continuing breakdown in diplomatic trust. Both countries remain locked in a cycle of accusations and countermeasures, with no immediate sign of improvement in relations.
