Diplomatic Tensions Escalate as Russia Expels British Defense Attaché

In retaliation for London's expulsion of its defense attaché, Russia has declared Britain's defense attaché persona non grata and given the diplomat a week to leave the country. The move heightens the already strained relationship between the two nations.

Russia has ordered the expulsion of Britain's defense attaché, Adrian Coghill, from the country within a week. The move comes in response to London's recent decision to expel the Russian defense attaché from the United Kingdom over spying allegations.

In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry denounced London's decision as "unfriendly and groundless," accusing Britain of "Russophobic" behavior. The ministry said it summoned a representative of the British Embassy in Moscow on Thursday to convey its "strong protest" over the expulsion of its attaché.

Britain's expulsion of the Russian defense attaché on May 8 was part of a series of measures aimed at countering Moscow's intelligence gathering operations in the UK. The British government accused the diplomat, Maxim Elovik, of being an "undeclared military intelligence officer."

In its statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry vowed to take "further retaliatory steps" in response to the British expulsion. The ministry said that the expulsion of the British defense attaché would cause "irreparable damage to bilateral relations."

The diplomatic tensions between Britain and Russia have been escalating in recent years. Britain has accused Russia of carrying out targeted killings, espionage, and cyberattacks against British targets. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Britain has imposed sanctions on hundreds of wealthy Russians and cracked down on money laundering through London's property and financial markets.

Russia has denied the accusations of wrongdoing and accused Britain of being hostile towards Moscow. The expulsion of diplomats is a sign of the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.

The expulsion of the British defense attaché from Russia is likely to further strain relations between the two countries. It remains to be seen whether the diplomatic row will escalate or whether the two sides can find a way to resolve their differences.

* The British Union flag flies from the front of the British ambassador to Russia's car, next to the Russian foreign ministry building in Moscow, Russia, on March 17, 2018.

* 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.