Moscow: In a tit-for-tat response, Russia has ordered the expulsion of the United Kingdom’s defense attache from Moscow, mirroring London’s recent action of expelling Russia’s own defense attache.
Accusing Moscow’s defense attache of covert military intelligence involvement, the UK’s move drew strong denials from Russia, branding the allegation as false.
“The defense attache at the British Embassy in Moscow, A. T. Coghill, has been declared persona non grata. He must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within a week,” stated the Russian ministry, indicating the expulsion.
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Additionally, the ministry cautioned that further actions could be taken in retaliation against what it termed as the UK’s “unfriendly”, “anti-Russian”, and politically motivated decision.
Tensions persist between Russia and the UK, with the latter being a steadfast supporter of Ukraine through NATO, offering significant military assistance to Kyiv’s forces.
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Maxim Elovik, Russia’s defense attache in the UK, has reportedly been stationed there since at least 2014 and has been observed participating in ceremonies honoring Russian war casualties.
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The UK’s expulsion comes amid growing concerns over alleged “malign” Russian activities on British soil, including suspected Kremlin involvement in an arson attack targeting a Ukrainian-affiliated business.
