Russia has expelled a senior British diplomat, accusing them of engaging in espionage activities, according to state media reports. This development marks a significant escalation in tensions between Moscow and London amidst already strained diplomatic relations.
The diplomat, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was reportedly declared persona non grata following allegations of intelligence-gathering activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. State-controlled media outlets claim that the individual had been under surveillance by Russian authorities for months.
The British Embassy in Moscow has yet to issue an official response to the expulsion, but sources within the UK Foreign Office have called the accusations “baseless” and part of a broader strategy by the Kremlin to deflect attention from internal and geopolitical pressures.
This move is the latest in a series of diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western nations, with both sides accusing the other of covert operations and meddling. Observers fear that such actions could further isolate Russia on the international stage while intensifying hostilities.
The expulsion comes amidst ongoing disagreements over issues such as the Ukraine conflict, cyberattacks, and alleged election interference. Analysts suggest that the incident may signal an intensification of espionage-related tensions between the two nations.
As of now, diplomatic relations remain precarious, with both countries likely to exchange further retaliatory measures.
