Overview
- Britain summoned Russian ambassador Andrey Kelin to the Foreign Office and informed him that a Russian diplomat’s accreditation had been revoked.
- Moscow expelled a British diplomat in January after the FSB alleged spying, a claim Russia did not substantiate publicly.
- The UK called Russia’s accusations baseless and described the earlier expulsion as unprovoked and unjustified.
- Officials did not disclose the identity or rank of the Russian diplomat whose accreditation was withdrawn.
- The step continues a pattern of reciprocal expulsions since 2022 as UK–Russia relations worsen, with London warning any further Russian actions will be treated as escalation.