Russia withdraws ambassador from UK after seven years

Aug 23, 2026

Russia withdrew ambassador Andrey Kelin from the UK on July 21, 2026, after seven years in the role, and Moscow has not sought to appoint a replacement. The Kremlin continues pressure on Britain over its support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK is continuing to support Ukraine 100 per cent despite Moscow threatening consequences for reported use of British drones for strikes deep into Russia.

Russian ambassador withdrawal

▪Moscow has not sought to appoint a replacement for Andrey Kelin as Russian ambassador to the UK
▪Andrey Kelin vacated his post as Russian ambassador to the UK on July 21, 2026
▪Andrey Kelin served as the Russian ambassador to the UK for over seven years

UK support for Ukraine

▪Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK is continuing to support Ukraine 100 per cent
▪Ukraine needs the five anti-corruption bills to receive an estimated 2.1 billion euros at the end of 2026
▪Moscow threatened consequences for the reported use of British drones for strikes deep into Russia
▪Ukraine's parliamentary law enforcement committee blocked five anti-corruption bills on August 19, 2026
▪The five anti-corruption bills are requirements of the European Union and are needed to advance Kyiv's EU accession talks
▪The 173rd Airborne Brigade US Army unit in Europe has been told to return to being a traditional infantry battalion

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia

▪Ukrainian drone strikes killed at least 10 people in Russia on August 22, 2026
▪Ukrainian drones hit a Russian oil refinery on August 22, 2026
▪Two people were killed and nine others were injured following a Russian strike on Kyiv on August 22, 2026
▪Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse belonging to Russian online retailer Ozon on August 22, 2026
▪Vladimir Putin said Ukraine has opened Pandora's box after Ukrainian drone strikes on August 22, 2026

Russian shopping centre attack

▪Russian drones struck a shopping centre in central Ukraine on August 21, 2026, killing at least 16 people
▪President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Russian shopping centre strike as an act of barbarism
▪The Russian shopping centre strike on August 21, 2026 wounded more than 130 people

Russian fuel shortages

▪Russian police arrested citizens complaining of fuel shortages at the pump
▪Motorists in at least 12 Russian regions are waiting up to 30 hours at petrol stations only to find the pumps empty
▪Moscow and its surrounding regions reimposed purchase limits on fuel, capping sales at between 50 and 60 litres per vehicle

Ukrainian veteran employment program

▪The Ukrainian veteran employment program will involve state companies and private businesses
▪Ukraine has some 1.5 million veterans
▪Ukraine is aiming to create 100,000 new jobs for veterans as part of a government scheme