The move follows a series of expulsions between Britain and Russia, and expands diplomatic tensions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia announced Monday it expelled two British diplomats stationed at a Moscow embassy and condemned espionage.
The Federal Security Bureau (FSB) claimed in a statement that the diplomat submitted false personal information when applying for entry to Russia, and was involved in alleged “intellectual and destructive activities” pose a threat to national security.
However, no evidence has been provided to support these claims.
The diplomat’s certification has been revoked and state-run outlet Ria Novosti has been instructed to leave Russia within two weeks.
“Moscow will not tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence agents on Russian territory,” the Russian Foreign Ministry added in the statement.
The UK Foreign Office rejected the allegation, replied, “This is not the first time Russia has made a malicious, unfounded accusation against our staff.”
The FSB previously denounced seven British diplomats, with six being announced in September, with the other being announced in November last year. At the time, the UK dismissed the accusation as “basically unfounded.”
Last month, London retaliated a Russian diplomat for his November expulsion.
These actions came amid continuing tensions over the Moscow war in Ukraine and the UK’s decision to revoke Russian Attache and limit Moscow’s diplomatic operations in the UK.
In May 2024, the UK expelled the Russian defence addition in London, claiming he was an undeclared intelligence officer, closing several Russian diplomatic facilities, claiming they were being used for spying. Russia quickly retaliated by banishing the British defence addition.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, diplomatic oustermination between Moscow and the Western countries has become increasingly frequent.
According to the Russian news outlet RBC, between early 2022 and October 2023, Western countries and Japan responded by expelling 670 Russian diplomats and Moscow responded by expelling 346 foreign envoys.
