UK Foreign Office dismisses Russian spy allegations as tensions rise over Ukraine conflict
Russia has escalated tensions with the UK by revoking the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of espionage and sabotage. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed the diplomats were engaging in “subversive activities and intelligence gathering” to escalate the situation in Ukraine, but the British government deemed the accusations as “completely baseless.”
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office labeled the move as a tit-for-tat response to Western actions against Russian activities in Europe and the UK. The diplomats have already left Russia, with the UK standing firm in protecting its national interests.
The announcement came ahead of a scheduled meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden to discuss the Ukraine war. The FSB accused British officials of plotting against Russia, further straining diplomatic relations already at a historic low.
As tensions rise, concerns mount over the potential fallout of allowing Ukraine to use Western-made long-range weapons against Russia, with President Vladimir Putin warning of possible NATO involvement in a conflict.