Russia Expels Six British Diplomats Amid Rising Tensions Over Ukraine

LONDON – Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Friday that it has revoked the diplomatic credentials of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of espionage and sabotage. This move highlights the Kremlin’s growing frustration with Britain’s role in supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

The British government responded by denouncing the accusations as “completely baseless,” suggesting that this act was a direct retaliation following the UK’s expulsion of a Russian defense attache and the revocation of diplomatic status for several Russian properties earlier this year.

These expulsions came just hours before crucial discussions in Washington between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Joe Biden. The negotiations are pivotal for securing approval for Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia. President Vladimir Putin raised the stakes on Thursday, warning that if the West enables Ukraine to launch attacks on Russian territory using Western-made missiles, it would transform the nature and scope of the conflict.

The Kremlin emphasized that Putin delivered a clear and unequivocal message to the West, which they believe has been adequately received. Recent developments, such as the announced transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia for use against Ukraine, were viewed by Washington and London as a significant escalation. This has reportedly accelerated discussions regarding Ukraine’s access to long-range missile capabilities.

The FSB, which is the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, asserted it possesses documentation indicating that a specific British Foreign Office department responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia was coordinating actions described as an “escalation of the political and military situation” aimed at ensuring Russia’s defeat in the war. According to the FSB, the activities of these British diplomats pose a threat to the security of the Russian Federation.

The FSB’s statement elaborated that actions taken by the British diplomats were grounded in “spying and sabotage” and that these activities justified their expulsion. In response to the FSB’s claims, a spokesperson for the British Foreign Office reiterated that Russia’s accusations hold no merit and maintain that the UK is acting in defense of its national interests.

Russia’s decision to expel these diplomats increases the already heightened tensions between Moscow and London, coming just as Starmer heads to Washington to negotiate further support for Ukraine. Reports indicate that discussions might undergo further developments during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, starting September 24.

According to sources, there is a possibility that the U.S. will permit the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine against targets within Russia, provided that the missiles are not sourced from the United States. This has been a longstanding demand from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been advocating for greater military support from allied nations.

Russian state television publicly identified the six expelled British diplomats, even sharing their photographs and surveillance footage. An unidentified FSB official remarked on state media that the actions of these diplomats were a clear indication that they had ignored earlier hints that they should cease their intelligence activities within Russia.

The FSB indicated that should further evidence of espionage come to light regarding other British diplomats, they too could face expulsion. Russian media, including the newspaper Izvestia, reported accusations against these diplomats of attempting to recruit Russian youths, orchestrating provocations, and meeting with opposition leaders at the British ambassador’s residence in Moscow.

These diplomats are accused of collaborating with Russian activists to foster divisions within Russian society, engaging with various ethnic groups and migrant communities. Furthermore, the FSB alleged that many individuals responsible for coordinating British activities on Ukraine from London and Kyiv are connected to MI6, the UK foreign intelligence service, although specific evidence was not provided.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemned the activities of the British embassy for overstepping the boundaries defined by diplomatic conventions. She emphasized that the situation involves not only a breach of formalities but also the undertaking of actions that aim to harm Russian citizens.

Source: USA Today