Moscow, 13 September 2024: Russia has expelled six British diplomats from the country on charges of espionage. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed the expulsion, citing allegations that the diplomats were involved in spying activities within the country. The state-run broadcaster Rossiya-24 TV has reported on the matter.
According to the Associated Press, the FSB revealed on Friday morning that these diplomats were working under the British Foreign Office, assigned to assess and provoke political and military situations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This allegedly contributed to ensuring Russia’s strategic defeat in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
An FSB official, speaking to Rossiya-24 TV, stated, “The British ignored our warnings to cease their intelligence operations within Russia. Therefore, we have decided to expel these six individuals as an initial step.”
The names and identities of the diplomats have been revealed, and their photos were shown on Russian state media. This development is expected to further strain the already tense relations between Russia and the United Kingdom.
The British Foreign Office has yet to respond to the situation.