Russia Expels British Diplomat Janse Van Rensburg Over Spy Allegations

Russia expelled British diplomat Albertus Gerhardus Janse Van Rensburg, 29.

“- Published Russia has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country over allegations of spying, the latest in a series of expulsions of embassy staff from both sides”

BBC

The FSB claimed he intentionally provided false information and sought sensitive economic information.

BBC

The UK Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as complete nonsense.

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Britain's charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia.

Russia warned the UK not to retaliate.

Cadena 3 Argentina

This expulsion is the second by Russia this year.

Relations between the UK and Russia have deteriorated since the Ukraine invasion.

“British chargé d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned this morning to the Russian Foreign Ministry to be informed of the 'withdrawal of accreditation' of an embassy employee due to 'information received (”

DW

At least eight British diplomats have been expelled from Moscow since then.

The UK revoked accreditation of a Russian diplomat in February 2026.

The expulsions occur against a historical backdrop of espionage tensions.

The 2006 Litvinenko assassination is a notable incident.

EFE

The 2018 Novichok poisoning of Skripal also shaped relations.