Moscow revokes accreditation of British diplomat after spy allegations

Russian authorities have identified a British intelligence officer operating under diplomatic cover at the United Kingdom’s embassy in Moscow, the FSB (Federal  Security Service) reported.

As a result, the Russian Foreign Ministry has revoked the accreditation of 45-year-old Gareth Samuel Davis, who must leave the country within two weeks. The UK’s chargé d’affaires ad interim in Russia, Danae Dholakia, was summoned to the ministry, where Moscow delivered a firm protest.

According to the FSB, Davis had been posted to Russia under the guise of serving as the second secretary in the embassy’s administrative and logistics department. The Foreign Ministry emphasised that Russia does not tolerate the presence of undeclared intelligence personnel on its territory.

Moscow also warned that any escalation by London would be met with a decisive “mirror” response. The FSB stated that Russia will continue to counter foreign intelligence activities by all available means.

This is not the first such action. In March 2025, the Russian Foreign Ministry withdrew the accreditation of two British diplomats, who left Russia within two weeks. At the time, the FSB clarified that the individuals were 34-year-old Alkesh Odedra, second secretary at the British Embassy, and 32-year-old Michael Skinner, spouse of the embassy’s first secretary in the political department.

By Tamilla Hasanova