In a tit-for-tat move, Russia has ordered the expulsion of the United Kingdom’s defence attache in Moscow, following the UK’s decision to expel Russia’s defence attache last week. The escalating tensions between the two countries have been fueled by accusations and counter-accusations of espionage and political motivations.
The UK had accused Moscow’s defence attache of being an “undeclared military intelligence officer”, a claim that Russia vehemently denied. In response, Russia declared the UK’s defence attache persona non grata, giving him a week to leave the country.
UK defence minister Grant Shapps dismissed Russia’s actions as “desperate”, highlighting the difference in accusations between the two countries. While Russia accused the UK’s defence attache of personifying support for Ukraine, the UK claimed Russia’s defence attache in the UK was acting as a spy.
The strained relations between Russia and the UK have been further exacerbated by concerns of Russian activity on British soil, including an alleged arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business orchestrated by the Kremlin. The UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, as a NATO backer, has also contributed to the tension between the two countries.
As both nations continue to engage in diplomatic tit-for-tat measures, the future of their relationship remains uncertain. The expulsion of defence attaches is just the latest chapter in a long-standing saga of political and military tensions between Russia and the UK.