Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated it summoned UK Charge d'Affaires Danae Dholakia to deliver a strong protest note. This action followed information indicating "a member of their diplomatic mission had ties to British intelligence agencies".
The ministry stated, "This individual's accreditation has been revoked, and they have been instructed to leave Russia within two weeks. We do not tolerate British intelligence agents operating on Russian territory. Should the UK escalate the situation, Russia will respond accordingly."
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Gareth Samuel Davies. Photo: FSB |
Gareth Samuel Davies. Photo: FSB
The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) also announced today that the UK diplomat suspected of espionage is Gareth Samuel Davies, born in 1980. An FSB statement noted, "This individual was dispatched to Russia operating under the guise of the second secretary for the administrative and economic section of the British Embassy in Moskva."
UK officials have not yet commented on this information.
Relations between Russia and the UK reached a decades-long low even before the Ukraine conflict began, marked by numerous espionage accusations. Both nations have expelled each other's diplomatic staff over the past years.
The UK is also among the strongest supporters of Ukraine, having pledged USD 29.4 billion in aid. British military support to Ukraine amounts to approximately USD 17.6 billion, including a loan exceeding three billion USD secured by frozen Russian assets.
The UK and France also lead a coalition of nations prepared to provide security assistance to Ukraine, committing to deploy troops to the country once a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, RIA Novosti, TASS)
