Russia has announced the expulsion of two British diplomats, citing their involvement in espionage activities. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed that Alkesh Odedra, the Second Secretary of the British Embassy in Moscow, and Michael Skinner, the spouse of another British diplomat, had provided false information when applying for permission to enter Russia. According to the FSB, these actions violated Russian law and pointed to intelligence and covert activities aimed at compromising the security of the Russian Federation.
The statement from the FSB indicated that these diplomats were working under the cover of the British Embassy and were found to be engaged in reconnaissance and subversive activities. As a result, both diplomats were stripped of their accreditation and ordered to leave Russia within two weeks.
The British Embassy in Moscow has firmly rejected these claims, calling them baseless. They promised to respond appropriately to the accusations made by the Russian authorities, emphasizing that they stood by their staff’s integrity.
This latest incident is part of an ongoing pattern of diplomatic tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom, which have frequently been marked by intelligence disputes. Just last month, Russia rejected claims from the British Prime Minister about the increased defense spending, saying the escalation was caused by Britain’s own actions. These tensions have escalated over the years, with both nations expelling diplomats in a series of spy-related incidents.
Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s actions this time follow a similar trend seen in November 2024 and September 2024, where multiple British diplomats were expelled on charges of espionage. As the rivalry continues, Russia’s FSB remains committed to countering foreign intelligence activities on its soil.
Recent Random Post:
