Russia expels British diplomat from Moscow embassy over spying claims
[January 15, 2026]
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia on Thursday ordered a British diplomat to
leave the country over allegations of spying, charges that were
dismissed as “baseless” by the U.K.
Russia’s Federal Security Service, known by its Russian acronym FSB,
alleged the member of embassy staff had worked for British intelligence.
It did not provide evidence. |
U.K. Charge d'Affairs to Russia, Danae Dholakia, center, arrives at the
Russia's Foreign Ministry after she was summoned to receive a notice, in
Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo) |
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Russia Foreign Ministry said in a statement the diplomat’s
accreditation has been revoked and that the individual must now
leave the country within two weeks. The U.K.’s charge d’affaires
in Russia, Danae Dholakia, was summoned to the ministry's Moscow
headquarters to receive the notice.
“Moscow will not tolerate the work of undeclared British
intelligence officers in Russia,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry
said. It also said that it would respond in kind to any action
taken by London on the issue.
The U.K.'s Foreign Office said it was “carefully considering” a
response to Russia’s expulsion of a British diplomat, saying
this was not the first time the Kremlin had made “malicious and
baseless" accusations against staff.
“Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation
and actions like this undermine the basic conditions required
for diplomatic missions to operate," the office said.
Russia and NATO allies have carried out multiple rounds of
mutual expulsions of diplomats as relations have sunk to the
lowest levels since the Cold War after the Kremlin sent troops
into Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow previously expelled two British diplomats based in Moscow
over spying allegations in March 2025. The U.K. also said those
accusations were false.
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