Russia ordered a British diplomat to leave the country within two weeks on Thursday after accusing him of working as an undeclared intelligence officer, a claim the United Kingdom rejected as false and damaging to diplomatic relations.
The move deepens already strained ties between Moscow and London and signals another escalation in a long running dispute over alleged spying activities that has intensified since Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, the diplomat identified as Gareth Samuel Davies was operating under cover as a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow while carrying out intelligence work. Russian state media published images of Davies following the announcement.
Russia’s foreign ministry summoned Britain’s charge d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, to formally notify her of the expulsion and to lodge a protest.
In a statement, the ministry said Moscow would not tolerate the presence of undeclared British intelligence officers on Russian territory. It added that if London escalated the situation, Russia would respond with what it called a mirror action.
Protesters gathered outside the foreign ministry during the meeting, chanting anti British slogans as the diplomatic vehicle carrying Dholakia arrived and departed.
The British Foreign Office dismissed the accusations, describing them as malicious and without foundation. A spokesperson said similar claims had been made in the past and warned that such actions undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to function.
The spokesperson added that the government was carefully considering its options in response, according to Reuters.
Russia and Western governments have repeatedly accused one another of espionage and sabotage activities since the invasion of Ukraine, reviving a level of mistrust not seen since the Cold War era.
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Moscow has alleged that the United States, Britain and France have increased efforts to recruit Russian citizens and steal state secrets. Western intelligence officials, in turn, accuse Russian agencies including the FSB, SVR and GRU of carrying out cyber attacks and covert operations across Europe and North America, claims the Kremlin denies.
Russian officials and state media have increasingly portrayed Britain as Moscow’s main adversary among Western nations. This posture has persisted even as the United States, under President Donald Trump, has signaled interest in resetting relations with Russia and exploring a negotiated path toward ending the Ukraine conflict.
