Russia’s FSB orders British diplomat’s expulsion, UK rejects ‘intimidation’

Russia's FSB has ordered a British diplomat, Albertus Gerhardus Janse van Rensburg, to leave the country within two weeks, accusing him of economic espionage. The FSB alleges the diplomat, a second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, sought sensitive economic information from Russian experts. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the UK. The UK Foreign Office has rejected the accusations as "completely unacceptable" and vowed not to tolerate intimidation of its embassy staff. Russia has accused British intelligence of increased espionage activities, while the UK has accused Russia of harassing its diplomats.

Russia has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country within two weeks, accusing him of spying and providing false information when applying for entry. The FSB alleges he sought sensitive information during informal economic meetings. In response, the UK Foreign Office called the accusations "complete nonsense" and accused Russia of harassment against British diplomats. The UK also revoked accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse. The UK's charge d'affaires was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the expulsion. This action is the latest in a series of reciprocal expulsions between the UK and Russia, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has worsened diplomatic relations.