Current:Home > FinanceRussia expels British defense attaché in a tit-for-tat move -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Russia expels British defense attaché in a tit-for-tat move
View
Date:2025-04-17 10:48:11
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia on Thursday declared Britain’s defense attaché persona non grata and gave the diplomat a week to leave the country in response to London’s decision to expel the Russian defense attaché earlier this month over spying allegations.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned a representative of the British Embassy in Moscow on Thursday to express its “strong protest in connection with the unfriendly and groundless decision” to expel the Russian attaché from London. “We emphasized that we regard this step as a politically motivated action of clearly Russophobic nature, which is causing irreparable damage to bilateral relations,” the statement read.
Britain on May 8 announced several measures to target Moscow’s intelligence gathering operations in the U.K. Those included a decision to boot Maxim Elovik, a Russian colonel who the British government termed an “undeclared military intelligence officer,” rescinding the diplomatic status of several Russian-owned properties because they are believed to have been used for intelligence purposes, and imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and visits.
The government said the measures followed criminal cases in London alleging espionage and sabotage by people acting on behalf of Russia.
It also cited allegations that the Russian government planned to sabotage military aid for Ukraine in Germany and Poland and carried out spying in Bulgaria and Italy, along with cyber and disinformation activities, air space violations and jamming GPS signals to hamper civilian air traffic.
In response, Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced the expelling of the British defense attaché Adrian Coghill, and vowed “further retaliatory steps.”
The U.K. has had an uneasy relationship with Russia for years, accusing its agents of targeted killings and espionage, including cyberattacks aimed at British lawmakers and leaking and amplifying sensitive information to serve Russian interests. After Russia sent troops into Ukraine, Britain has also sanctioned hundreds of wealthy Russians and moved to clamp down on money laundering through London’s property and financial markets.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Jack Antonoff Has Pitch Perfect Response to Rumor He Put in Earplugs During Katy Perry’s VMAs Performance
- Judge tosses some counts in Georgia election case against Trump and others
- American Airlines flight attendants ratify contract that ends their threats to go on strike
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Texas leads push for faster certification of mental health professionals
- Father of slain Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke his son in immigration debate
- Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces $47M haul in hours afterward
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Why Billie Eilish Skipped the 2024 MTV VMAs
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Fight to restore Black voters’ strength could dismantle Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment
- Senate committee to vote to hold Steward Health Care CEO in contempt
- Alabama university ordered to pay millions in discrimination lawsuit
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Disney-DirecTV dispute extends into CFB Week 3, here's the games you could miss
- Alabama university ordered to pay millions in discrimination lawsuit
- Meet the cast of 'The Summit': 16 contestants climbing New Zealand mountains for $1 million
Recommendation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Measure to repeal Nebraska’s private school funding law should appear on the ballot, court rules
Video shows dog leap out of car window to chase deer eating grass in New York: Watch
Driver charged with killing NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Nikki Garcia Shares Official Date of Separation From Artem Chigvintsev Amid Divorce
Target’s Latino Heritage Month Collection Has Juan Gabriel & Rebelde Tees for $16, Plus More Latino Faves
Loose electrical cable found on ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse