Six British diplomats of the British embassy have been revoked of accreditation in Russia based on evidence of espionage (Agencies)

Russia's FSB security service announced on Friday that it had revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow after finding evidence of them engaging in espionage and sabotage.

The FSB accused the British diplomats of working to escalate the political and military situation in Russia, coordinating from London.

"The facts revealed give grounds to consider the activities of British diplomats sent to Moscow by the directorate as threatening the security of the Russian Federation," the FSB said in a statement.

"On the basis of documents provided by the Federal Security Service of Russia and as a response to the numerous unfriendly steps taken by London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in co-operation with the agencies concerned, has terminated the accreditation of six members of the political department of the British Embassy in Moscow in whose actions signs of spying and sabotage were found," it said.

Spy hunters: Russia’s silent war on Western intel agents disguised as diplomats
Russia expelled 6 employees of the British Foreign Office Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate at the UK’s Moscow Embassy on Friday over their suspected intelligence-gathering and subversive… pic.twitter.com/SXa5nnjx0t
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) September 13, 2024

The UK responded by rebuking these findings as baseless and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its national interests.

"The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six UK diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the UK government in response to Russian state-directed activity across Europe and in the UK," a British Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests."

Russia's actions come amid increasing tensions, especially after the UK granted Kiev access to Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of over 250 km.

Moreover, the expulsion of the diplomats happens to coincide with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Washington, where he is in talks with US President Joe Biden, potentially pushing for Ukraine's access to long-range missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range Western-made missiles to strike Russian territory would fundamentally alter the conflict's scope.

Despite these tensions, the White House downplayed expectations of any major changes to US policy on long-range missile provisions for Ukraine, though ongoing talks with Western allies may continue.

According to the New York Times, which cited European sources, the US appears prepared to approve the use of Ukraine's long-range missiles against Russian targets, provided that the weapons were not American-supplied.