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Russia expels UK diplomat over alleged intelligence activity

 

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Russia ordered the expulsion of a British diplomat from the Moscow embassy, accusing the official of being an undercover intelligence officer.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) identified the diplomat as Gareth Samuel Davies, a second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow.

The FSB alleged that Davies was working as an undeclared spy for British intelligence services. No specific evidence was publicly provided.

Russia has revoked Davies's accreditation and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks.

Summoning of Officials: Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.K. charge d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, to issue a formal protest.

Official Reactions

United Kingdom: The Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as "malicious and baseless," stating that Russia’s actions "undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate". The U.K. is currently "carefully considering" its response.

Russia: The Foreign Ministry warned that it would not tolerate undeclared intelligence activities and pledged a "decisive 'mirror' response" if London chose to escalate the situation further.

Context of Tensions

This expulsion is the latest in a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic removals between the two nations since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. 

It follows a similar incident in March 2025, where Moscow expelled two British diplomats on comparable espionage charges. Relations between London and Moscow are currently regarded as being at their lowest point since the Cold War. 

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