Russia expels British diplomats for involvement with foreign intelligence

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Monday that two citizens linked to the United Kingdom Embassy in Moscow had their accreditation revoked after being identified as involved in intelligence activities and for providing false information to the Russian authorities.

According to a statement issued by the FSB, the shares were the result of counterintelligence operations that revealed the unlavoded performance of British agents operating under diplomatic coverage.

The security agency stated that the investigation identified elements that characterize violations of Russian legislation and threats to the country’s security.

“Reliable elements were established that the second secretary of the embassy, ​​Alkesh Oddra, born December 25, 1990, and Michael Skinner, born on June 30, 1992, spouse of Tabasum Rashid, the first secretary of the British Embassy Political Department, deliberately provided false information by requesting entry to the Russian territory,” the statement said.

The FSB declared that it obtained evidence of intelligence activities attributed to both diplomats. According to the agency, the actions developed by Odadra and Skinner are classified as recognition and disturbance operations that, according to the interpretation of the Russian authorities, pose a risk to the safety of the Russian Federation.

As a result of the conclusions of the investigations, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided, in coordination with other government agencies, to remove diplomatic accreditation from the two individuals. Both should leave the Russian territory within two weeks, as reported by the FSB.

“Russia’s FSB will continue to work to combat the recognition and disturbance of foreign intelligence agencies by all available means,” the statement concluded.

To date, there has been no public positioning of the British embassy in Moscow or the UK’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the decision of the Russian authorities.

The case occurs in a context of tense diplomatic relations between Russia and Western countries, marked by frequent exchanges of accusations involving espionage, political interference and national security.

Similar episodes have been recorded in recent years in different European countries, involving mutual expulsions of diplomatic representatives on allegations of activities incompatible with consular function.

The Russian government has intensified the monitoring of foreign representations in its territory, based on safety measures and guidelines adopted by its intelligence bodies.

The FSB has attributed to foreign diplomats to conduct actions considered outside the limits of diplomatic rules established by international conventions.

Accreditation withdrawal, according to the FSB, was applied based on evidence obtained during counterintelligence operations. The statement does not detail the methods used to collect the information or specify the types of activity attributed to the two British citizens.

The expulsion procedure of diplomats usually follows protocols established by multilateral agreements. Although the measures are of national competence, the removal of diplomatic status often results in reactions by the countries involved and may generate episodes of reciprocity.

In recent years, several countries have reported cases involving espionage allegations under diplomatic coverage, with consequences for bilateral relations.

The current decision of the Russian authorities adds to a series of similar episodes recorded since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine and the consequent intensification of the tensions between Moscow and the Western governments.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided additional information on the eventual impact of the decision on diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom. Nor were complementary measures or changes in the British representation in Moscow.

The FSB indicated that it will continue to adopt security measures aimed at protecting sensitive information and identifying any intelligence actions conducted by foreign agents.

The agency has reinforced surveillance on diplomatic activities and maintains joint action with other state agencies in the investigation of possible violations of Russian legislation.

The measure taken against Alkesh Oddra and Michael Skinner represents another episode in the growing tension between Moscow and London.

Bilateral relations between the two countries have been marked by episodes of mutual distrust and measures of diplomatic containment in an international scenario of expanded geopolitical disputes.

The permanence of the two British citizens in Russian territory is subject to the deadline established by the local government. If they do not leave the country over the given period, Russia may adopt additional measures according to the provisions provided for in its legislation.

With information from TASS