Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Espionage Allegations, UK Rejects 'Intimidation'

Mar 30, 2026

Russia's Federal Security Service ordered the expulsion of a British diplomat serving as second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, accusing the official of espionage and providing false information on entry documents. The FSB claims the diplomat attempted to obtain sensitive information during informal economic meetings, revoking accreditation and ordering departure within two weeks. The UK Foreign Office rejected the allegations as complete nonsense, characterizing them as part of an aggressive and coordinated harassment campaign against British diplomats and their families. This incident continues a pattern of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between the UK and Russia that has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Russia expelling two British officials in March 2025 and the UK responding by revoking accreditation for a Russian diplomat and diplomatic spouse.

Russia's expulsion of British diplomat over espionage allegations

▪The British diplomat's name was shared in Russian state media.
▪The UK's charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the expulsion.
▪Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claims the British diplomat tried to obtain sensitive information during informal economic meetings.
▪The British diplomat had their accreditation revoked and been ordered to leave Russia within two weeks.
▪Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claims the British diplomat provided false information when applying to enter the country.

UK's rejection and counter-accusations of Russian intimidation

▪The UK Foreign Office accused Russia of an aggressive and co-ordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats.
▪The UK Foreign Office stated that Russia has been pumping out malicious and completely baseless accusations about British diplomats' work.
▪A UK Foreign Office spokesman called Russia's expulsion move complete nonsense.
▪The UK Foreign Office stated that the UK does not stand for intimidation of British embassy staff and their families.

Pattern of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions since 2022

▪Russia expelled a British diplomat from the country earlier in 2025 over spying allegations.
▪The UK revoked accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse in response to Russia's March 2025 expulsions.
▪Russia expelled two British officials in March 2025 over accusations of spying.
▪The UK and Russia have expelled a number of each other's diplomats since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.