Russia expels 6 British diplomats it accuses of spying and “subversive activities”

Russia has expelled six British diplomats from the country, accusing them of engaging in spying and “subversive activities.” This move comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and Western countries, particularly the United Kingdom, over a range of issues including the war in Ukraine and allegations of Russian interference in Western elections.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of the British diplomats in a statement, saying that they had been engaged in “activities incompatible with their diplomatic status” and had been declared persona non grata. The statement did not provide specific details about the alleged spying and subversive activities, but it claimed that the diplomats had been “actively involved in efforts to undermine the security and stability of Russia.”

The British government has condemned the expulsions, calling them “unjustified and inappropriate.” In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said that the diplomats had been carrying out their duties in accordance with international law and diplomatic norms, and that Russia’s actions were a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

This latest diplomatic spat is just the latest in a series of tit-for-tat expulsions between Russia and Western countries in recent years. The UK has previously expelled Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK in 2018, which the British government blamed on the Russian state. Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning and has accused the UK of fabricating evidence to support its claims.

The expulsion of the British diplomats also comes at a time when Russia is facing increasing international pressure over its actions in Ukraine, where it has been supporting separatist rebels in the eastern region of Donbas. The United States and European countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, and there are fears that the conflict could escalate further.

The diplomatic standoff between Russia and Western countries shows no signs of abating, and there are concerns that it could lead to further destabilization in the region. The expulsion of the British diplomats is just the latest example of the tensions between Russia and the West, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming months.