Russia’s FSB security service announced on Friday the revocation of accreditation for six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of espionage and sabotage activities. This move reflects escalating tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom, intensified by the UK’s support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts. The UK has dismissed the accusations as “completely baseless,” attributing Russia’s actions to retaliatory measures following Britain’s expulsion of the Russian defense attaché and the revocation of diplomatic status for several Russian properties earlier in May.
The announcement came just hours before a scheduled meeting in Washington between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden.
This meeting was crucial for discussing potential approval for Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets within Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that such actions by the West would be seen as direct involvement in the conflict, potentially altering its nature and scope.
The backdrop to these diplomatic tensions includes recent allegations from Washington and London about Iran’s involvement in supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine—a claim that both Russia and Iran have denied. According to Western sources, this development has accelerated discussions on allowing Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles.
In its statement, the FSB claimed to possess documents from a British foreign office department that allegedly coordinated efforts to escalate the political and military situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, aiming to ensure Russia’s strategic defeat. The FSB’s statement declared, “The facts revealed give grounds to consider the activities of British diplomats sent to Moscow by the directorate as threatening the security of the Russian Federation.”
Responding to the expulsions, a British Foreign Office spokesperson stated, “The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six UK diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the UK government in response to Russian state directed activity across Europe and in the UK,” emphasizing the UK’s stance of remaining “unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”
The diplomatic rift occurs as discussions continue on Ukraine’s use of Western long-range missiles, with a decision potentially forthcoming at the United Nations General Assembly starting September 24. Reports suggest that the U.S. may soon approve Ukraine’s request to use long-range missiles, provided they are not American-supplied, against targets in Russia.