The relationship between Moscow and London has experienced a further point of tension following Russia’s expulsion of British diplomat Gareth Samuel Davies on charges of intelligence activities. This recent reciprocal diplomatic action, which Russian authorities claim is a response to Davies’s alleged intelligence gathering, marks a continued deterioration in the bilateral relationship. The move is anticipated to complicate Western intelligence operations and diplomatic contacts between the two nations, prompting the UK Foreign Office to announce that it is considering a response.
Key Developments
- Russia formally expelled UK diplomat Gareth Samuel Davies, a Second Secretary at the embassy, after accusing him of having intelligence connections.
- The UK Foreign Office formally rejected the accusations, describing them as “without foundation,” and indicated that reciprocal action is under consideration.
- The expulsion order, delivered on January 15, 2026, requires Mr. Davies to depart Russia within 14 days.
- The event continues a cycle of diplomatic expulsions initiated following the February 2022 military conflict in Ukraine.
Russian Ministry Delivers Expulsion
Russian authorities declared Mr. Davies persona non grata on January 15, 2026. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned UK chargé d’affaires Danae Dholakia to issue the formal expulsion order, which granted the diplomat a two-week departure window. Russian FSB intelligence services have alleged that Mr. Davies was operating as an undercover intelligence operative.
UK Rejects Claims and Considers Reciprocal Action
The UK Foreign Office formally rejected Russia’s accusations, stating the claims were “unsubstantiated.” British officials characterized the expulsion as an action intended to create procedural challenges and undermine diplomatic operations between the two nations. The Foreign Office announced it was “carefully considering options,” a diplomatic protocol which typically signals preparations for a reciprocal action against Russian embassy personnel in London.
Context of Bilateral Diplomatic Expulsions
This recent expulsion is the latest event in a protracted diplomatic conflict dating back to Russia’s military action in Ukraine in February 2022. The cycle of mutual expulsions includes a Russian action against a UK diplomat in November 2024 and Britain’s response in March 2025. High-level diplomatic contacts between London and Moscow have remained limited since February 2022, leaving embassy staff as primary communication channels.
The strained relationship is part of a longer history of intelligence-related events, including the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the 2018 Novichok incident involving Sergei Skripal. These past events led to significant Western expulsions of Russian diplomatic personnel and established a pattern of mutual intelligence operations activity.
Implications for International Intelligence Gathering
The declaration of alleged intelligence operatives as persona non grata is part of a broader strategy to affect Western espionage capabilities during ongoing operations. Each expulsion reduces embassy staffing levels and increases procedural complexity for intelligence gathering by both nations. This shrinking diplomatic presence also limits potential informal communication opportunities that could be relevant to future peace negotiations.
Watch the report: Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations
Sources:
Russia expels UK diplomat accused of being spy – France 24
Russia expels UK diplomat as spy, London weighs response – Yeni Şafak
UK says carefully considering response after Russia expels British diplomat – Anadolu Agency
Russia expels British diplomat over spying accusations – The Telegraph
