Russia Expels British Diplomats Amid Spying Allegations

Russia's FSB revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of espionage and sabotage. This move highlights Kremlin's discontent with the UK's support for Ukraine. The expulsions precede planned talks between British PM Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden focused on Ukraine's military strategy.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Friday that it had rescinded the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, citing espionage and subversive activities. This stern measure underscores the Kremlin's growing discontent with what it views as London's pivotal role in aiding Ukraine. Requests for comments from Britain's Moscow embassy and the UK government remain unanswered.

The expulsions arrived just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled to engage in discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington. The high-stakes talks aimed to decide on whether to permit Ukraine's use of Western missiles to strike inside Russian territory, an action Russian President Vladimir Putin warned could escalate the conflict and redefine its nature.

The FSB released documents indicating that a British foreign office unit responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia was orchestrating efforts to escalate the political and military situation, thus threatening Russia's strategic position in its war with Ukraine. Russian state TV aired the names and photographs of the expelled diplomats, accompanied by surveillance footage. An anonymous FSB official revealed that more expulsions could follow if similar activities were detected among remaining British diplomats.

(With inputs from agencies.)