LONDON − On Friday, Russia’s FSB security service announced the expulsion of six British diplomats in Moscow, alleging their involvement in espionage and sabotage, reflecting the Kremlin’s displeasure with what it views as Britain’s crucial support for Ukraine.

The UK government dismissed these claims as “entirely unfounded,” indicating that the expulsion was a retaliatory measure following the UK’s decision to expel the Russian defense attaché and revoke diplomatic status from several Russian properties back in May.

The expulsion was declared just hours before a meeting in Washington between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Joe Biden, which is significant for advancing Kyiv’s request for long-range missile usage against Russian targets.

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin warned that the West would essentially be at war with Russia if Ukraine were permitted to use Western-manufactured long-range missiles to target Russian territory, asserting that this would fundamentally change the conflict’s dynamics.

The Kremlin emphasized that Putin sent a straightforward and unequivocal message to the West, which they believe has been acknowledged.

Washington and London perceive the recent delivery of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia as a serious escalation, prompting expedited discussions concerning Ukraine’s long-range missiles, according to three Western sources speaking to Reuters. Both Russia and Iran have denied these transfer claims.

The FSB, the primary successor to the Soviet KGB, asserted that they possess documentation indicating that a British Foreign Office division responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia was managing the so-called “escalation of the political and military situation” aimed at ensuring Russia’s strategic failure in Ukraine.

“The information presented justifies considering the activities of British diplomats in Moscow as a threat to the security of the Russian Federation,” the FSB stated in their announcement.

“Based on the evidence provided by the Federal Security Service and as a reaction to numerous unfriendly actions taken by London, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in conjunction with the relevant agencies, has rescinded the accreditation of six members from the political department of the British Embassy in Moscow, whose actions suggested espionage and sabotage,” it stated.

The UK government termed Russia’s accusations against its diplomats as unfounded.

“The Russian government revoked the diplomatic status of six UK diplomats last month in response to actions taken by the UK regarding state-sponsored activities by Russia across Europe and in the UK,” remarked a spokesperson from the British Foreign Office.

“We remain steadfast in safeguarding our national interests.”

Long-range missiles

The expulsion of British diplomats escalates the friction between Moscow and London, just hours before Starmer arrives in Washington to push for a decision from Biden regarding Ukraine’s request to utilize Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles, which can strike targets over 155 miles deep into Russia.

Sources indicate this meeting represents further progress in discussions to allow Ukraine the use of Western long-range missiles against Russian targets, a demand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been advocating for months.

A Western source mentioned that a decision might be made during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, beginning on September 24.

According to The New York Times, citing European officials, the U.S. appears poised to approve Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles against Russian targets, on the condition that these are not weapons supplied by the United States.

Surveillance of UK diplomats in Moscow

The six UK diplomats had their identities revealed on Russian state television, accompanied by photographs. The broadcast also included surveillance videos featuring one of the British diplomats meeting an associate.

According to an FSB official, whose identity was concealed, “The British did not heed our warnings to cease their intelligence activities in Russia, prompting us to start with the expulsion of these six individuals.”

The FSB warned that should other British diplomats be confirmed to be participating in similar activities, they too might be expelled.

As reported by Izvestia newspaper, the FSB claimed that the British diplomats had engaged with Russian teenagers for recruitment, instigated what they referred to as provocations, and held discussions in the British ambassador’s residence in Moscow with opposition figures.

Officials collaborated with Russian activists to foster divisions within Russian society based on various ethnic backgrounds and migrant communities. It was suggested that several individuals involved in managing Britain’s efforts regarding Ukraine, located in both London and Kyiv, were affiliated with the MI6 foreign intelligence agency. However, specific information was not provided.

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, commented that the British embassy’s actions in Moscow have exceeded the bounds set by the Vienna diplomatic agreements.

“This issue transcends mere formalities and failure to adhere to declared operations; it pertains to covert activities aimed at harming our citizens,” Zakharova expressed through a Telegram post.