Russia has expelled two individuals linked to the British embassy in Moscow, accusing them of engaging in intelligence and subversive activities. The move, announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and reported by state media outlet Tass, is the latest in a series of diplomatic expulsions between Moscow and London.
The UK government swiftly rejected the allegations, calling them “malicious and baseless.” A Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized that this was not the first time Russia had made such claims against British diplomats.
According to the FSB, the expelled individuals—a second secretary at the embassy and the spouse of another British diplomat—had allegedly provided false information upon entering Russia. They have been given two weeks to leave the country.
This escalation follows Britain’s recent expulsion of a Russian diplomat in response to a similar move by Moscow last November. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the decision as a direct response to Russia’s prior actions.
The latest expulsions come amid heightened tensions over espionage concerns. In the UK, six members of a Russian-linked spy ring, known as the “Minions,” were recently convicted of conducting large-scale surveillance activities. Their sentencing is scheduled for May.
Additionally, concerns over Russian intelligence activities in the UK have grown in recent months, with reports of security breaches in Parliament and travel bans imposed on British politicians and journalists.
The diplomatic standoff underscores the ongoing friction between Russia and the UK, as both nations continue to engage in tit-for-tat measures amid broader geopolitical tensions.
The Guardian
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