The UK government has revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat in a retaliatory move following Moscow's expulsion of a British official last year.
The action comes in direct response to Russia's “unprovoked and baseless” decision to strip a British diplomat of their accreditation in November.
The Foreign Office made clear its position on intimidation, stating: "The UK will not stand for intimidation of our staff in this way and so we are taking reciprocal action."
TASS, the Russian state news agency, said in November that he had been expelled for "intentionally providing false information when entering the Russian Federation".
It said evidence had been found that the diplomat was involved in "reconnaissance and subversive work that threatens the security of the Russian Federation".
On Thursday, the Foreign Office summoned Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin for a meeting with a senior British official to inform him of the decision, warning that any further action by Moscow would be considered “an escalation and responded to accordingly.”
Shortly after the announcement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted on X: "We've stripped a Russian diplomat's accreditation, following Russia's recent expulsion of a British diplomat.
"We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.
"My message to Russia is clear - if you take action against us, we will respond."
In May last year, the UK expelled Russia's defence attache in London, Colonel Maxim Elovik, claiming he was an "undeclared military intelligence officer".
The government also removed diplomatic status from several Russian-owned premises and placed restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas.
In response, Russia expelled Britain's defence attache in Moscow, Captain Adrian Coghill.
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