Russian FSB Says It Caught British Intelligence Operatives Posing as Diplomats

Russia has expelled two British embassy staff members, accusing them of engaging in espionage, The Guardian reported on March 10.

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the two individuals—one a second secretary at the British embassy and the other the spouse of a first secretary—were allegedly linked to UK intelligence services operating under diplomatic cover.

“The counterintelligence work has exposed undeclared British intelligence activities in Russia, leading to their expulsion,” the FSB stated.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has also summoned a representative from the British embassy for an official explanation.

Earlier, a Russian reconnaissance vessel, the Yantar, was spotted in British territorial waters. The Royal Navy deployed two vessels, HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne, to monitor the Russian ship’s movements.

“Let me be clear—this is a Russian spy ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping critical underwater infrastructure in the United Kingdom,” UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey stated.