MOSCOW: Russia has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country over espionage allegations, state media reported on Monday, citing the Federal Security Service (FSB).
The diplomat, identified as Albertus Gerhardus Janse Van Rensburg, an embassy secretary, was accused by the FSB of engaging in “subversive intelligence activities that threaten Russia’s security,” according to the state-run RIA news agency.
“A decision was made to strip Janse Van Rensburg of his accreditation and order him to leave Russia within two weeks,” the agency quoted the FSB as saying.
The expulsion comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom, with relations at their lowest point since the Cold War.
According to Russian authorities, the diplomat allegedly provided false information to enter the country and attempted to obtain sensitive data during informal meetings.
The Russian foreign ministry also summoned British chargé d’affaires Danae Dholakia to lodge a formal protest.
The United Kingdom rejected the accusations, with a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) describing them as “malicious and baseless,” and accusing Moscow of targeting diplomats as part of a broader pattern of pressure.
The incident follows a series of tit-for-tat expulsions. In January 2026, Russia expelled another British diplomat, while in February, the UK revoked the accreditation of a Russian envoy in response.
Tensions between London and Moscow have been driven in part by Britain’s continued support for Ukraine, including disputes over the use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, further straining already fragile relations.
