LONDON — September 2024

Britain firmly denied allegations made by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accusing six British diplomats in Moscow of espionage. The FSB claimed the diplomats were involved in intelligence and subversive activities, prompting Moscow to revoke their accreditation. The UK Foreign Office swiftly responded, calling the accusations “completely baseless.”

In a statement issued Friday, the Foreign Office defended its staff, asserting that the claims lacked any evidence. “The accusations made today by the FSB against our staff are completely baseless,” a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said. The statement emphasized that the decision to revoke the diplomats’ accreditation in August had only been formally announced on Friday, following actions by the UK government in response to Russian activities in Europe and Britain.

“We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests,” the spokesperson continued, underscoring the UK’s firm stance on safeguarding its diplomatic efforts amid ongoing tensions.

Earlier that day, the FSB issued a statement outlining the rationale for its decision. “On the basis of documents provided by the FSB of Russia, as well as in response to numerous unfriendly steps by London, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with interested departments, terminated the accreditation of six employees of the political department of the British Embassy in Moscow, whose actions showed signs of intelligence and subversive work,” the FSB announced.

Tensions between the UK and Russia have intensified in recent years, with both sides accusing each other of espionage and political interference. This latest development marks a significant escalation in diplomatic relations between the two nations, with potential ripple effects across broader European-Russian relations.

Observers are watching closely to see how the UK government responds to Moscow’s actions and whether further diplomatic measures will follow.