Russia expels six British diplomats, accusing them of spying

In response, the UK Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as "entirely unfounded." The diplomats had already left Russia several weeks before this announcement. The BBC reported on September 13.

This development coincides with the British Prime Minister's visit to Washington, where he is set to discuss the war in Ukraine with U.S. President Joe Biden. A key topic on the agenda is whether Kyiv should be permitted to launch missiles at targets inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow would view such an action as a significant escalation, considering it "direct participation" by NATO countries in the conflict.

The UK Foreign Office suggested Russia's decision was a retaliatory move in response to UK measures against Russian state-led activities.

Former British national security advisor Lord Peter Ricketts described the accusations against the six diplomats as "fabricated."

The BBC noted that Russia has increasingly expelled diplomats since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

• The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with 650 Light Multipurpose Missiles (LMM) under a £162 million contract to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.