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The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has accused six British diplomats of espionage and decided to revoke their accreditation, as reported by Russian state TV. The FSB said that the diplomats would be expelled from the country. This development coincides with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington for discussions with President Joe Biden, which will include Ukraine’s request to use Western-supplied weapons against targets within Russia.
During his journey to the US, Starmer emphasised that Britain does not “seek any conflict with Russia.” He said, “Russia started this conflict.Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia could end this conflict straight away.” Starmer further highlighted Britain’s support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense, including the provision of training capabilities, while reiterating that their intention is not to engage in any conflict with Russia.
According to the FSB, documents were obtained indicating that the diplomats were dispatched to Russia by a division of the UK Foreign Office with the primary objective of inflicting a strategic defeat on the country. The agency claimed that the diplomats were involved in intelligence gathering and subversive activities. Consequently, the Russian Foreign Ministry withdrew their accreditation. The FSB warned that if other diplomats are found engaging in similar actions, they will demand the early termination of their missions to Russia.
Russian state TV reported that the six diplomats had met with independent media and rights groups that have been labelled as “foreign agents” by the Russian authorities, a designation actively used against organizations and individuals critical of the Kremlin. The British Embassy in Moscow and the UK Foreign Office have not yet provided a comment on the matter.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed agreement with the FSB’s assessment of the British diplomats’ activities, stating that they had exceeded the limits outlined by the Vienna Conventions. She accused the diplomats of engaging in subversive actions aimed at harming the Russian people.
The expulsion of diplomats has become increasingly common since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to Russian news outlet RBC, Western countries and Japan expelled a total of 670 Russian diplomats between the beginning of 2022 and October 2023, while Moscow expelled 346 diplomats in response, surpassing the combined total of the previous 20 years.
In May, the UK expelled Russia’s defense attaché in London, alleging that he was an undeclared intelligence officer, and closed several Russian diplomatic properties in Britain that were allegedly being used for spying.
During his journey to the US, Starmer emphasised that Britain does not “seek any conflict with Russia.” He said, “Russia started this conflict.Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia could end this conflict straight away.” Starmer further highlighted Britain’s support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense, including the provision of training capabilities, while reiterating that their intention is not to engage in any conflict with Russia.
According to the FSB, documents were obtained indicating that the diplomats were dispatched to Russia by a division of the UK Foreign Office with the primary objective of inflicting a strategic defeat on the country. The agency claimed that the diplomats were involved in intelligence gathering and subversive activities. Consequently, the Russian Foreign Ministry withdrew their accreditation. The FSB warned that if other diplomats are found engaging in similar actions, they will demand the early termination of their missions to Russia.
Russian state TV reported that the six diplomats had met with independent media and rights groups that have been labelled as “foreign agents” by the Russian authorities, a designation actively used against organizations and individuals critical of the Kremlin. The British Embassy in Moscow and the UK Foreign Office have not yet provided a comment on the matter.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed agreement with the FSB’s assessment of the British diplomats’ activities, stating that they had exceeded the limits outlined by the Vienna Conventions. She accused the diplomats of engaging in subversive actions aimed at harming the Russian people.
The expulsion of diplomats has become increasingly common since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to Russian news outlet RBC, Western countries and Japan expelled a total of 670 Russian diplomats between the beginning of 2022 and October 2023, while Moscow expelled 346 diplomats in response, surpassing the combined total of the previous 20 years.
In May, the UK expelled Russia’s defense attaché in London, alleging that he was an undeclared intelligence officer, and closed several Russian diplomatic properties in Britain that were allegedly being used for spying.
