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Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Alleged Espionage Activities
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Russia has expelled a British diplomat accused by Moscow of engaging in espionage activities, revoking his accreditation and ordering him to leave the country within two weeks, Sky News reported on March 30.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said the diplomat had “provided false information about himself” when applying for entry into Russia. Authorities also claimed he sought to collect information on Russia’s economy during informal meetings.
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In a statement, the FSB said it had uncovered an “undeclared intelligence presence” and accused the diplomat of “carrying out intelligence and subversive activities that threaten the security of the Russian Federation,” according to Sky News, citing Russian media.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the UK’s most senior diplomat in the country, Danae Dholakia, was summoned over the incident. The ministry stated that the expelled diplomat had “knowingly provided false information about himself when applying for entry into our country.”
The statement added that Russian authorities had identified links between the individual and British intelligence services, citing “evidence of his involvement in subversive intelligence work in our country.”
Russian officials also warned of potential consequences if tensions escalate further.
“It was particularly emphasized that Moscow will not tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia, and our uncompromising position on this issue will continue to be formulated in accordance with national security interests,” the statement said.
“Furthermore, a warning was issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will immediately respond accordingly.”
This is not the first time tensions between Moscow and London have escalated over espionage allegations.
As reported by Reuters on January 15, Russia identified the expelled diplomat as Gareth Samuel Davies, a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, claiming he had been operating undercover for British intelligence. The FSB said he was an undeclared spy and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks.
The United Kingdom rejected the accusations, describing them as “malicious and baseless” and warning that such claims undermine the conditions necessary for diplomatic missions to operate.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its position, stating: “It was again stressed that Moscow would not tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia.”
“A warning was also issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will give a decisive ‘mirror’ response,” the ministry added.
Meanwhile, a senior official at Poland’s Ministry of National Defense has been detained on suspicion of cooperating with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
According to the report, the suspect is a 60-year-old man who joined the defense ministry in the 1990s and served in several mid-level roles, including within the strategy and planning department.
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