Published: 09:54, May 9, 2024
UK says to expel Russian defense attache
By Xinhua
Britain's Home Secretary James Cleverly arrives for a conversation with journalist at the the Italian centre of studies on international relations, in central Rome on April 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

LONDON - The United Kingdom is set to expel the Russian defense attache as part of a series of measures against Moscow, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced Wednesday.

Cleverly told the House of Commons, the lower house of the British parliament, that the Russian defense attache is an "undeclared military intelligence officer".

"We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK ... which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes," he said.

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"We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK," he added.

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that the Kremlin will respond appropriately following the expulsion, according to Russian media.