"Spy Under Diplomatic Cover": Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Economic Espionage and Sabotage Allegations

On Monday, March 30, 2026, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) revoked the accreditation of a British diplomat, ordering them to leave the country within 14 days. Moscow accused the envoy of providing false information on their visa application to mask "undeclared intelligence activities" aimed at gathering sensitive data on the Russian economy and conducting "subversive acts".

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the British Chargé d'Affaires, Danae Dholakia, to deliver a stern warning that such activities would not be tolerated. In a chilling move, the FSB advised Russian citizens to avoid contact with British diplomats to escape potential "criminal liability." London dismissed the claims as "utter nonsense" and characterized the expulsion as part of a "coordinated campaign of aggressive harassment" by the Kremlin.