Russia expels British diplomat in country for 'spying charges'

Russia expelled a British diplomat in the country on espionage charges and summoned the British ambassador to Russia.

Russia's Federal Security Service explained the reason for the deportation, saying, "Wilks Edward Pryor of the British Embassy in Russia violated Russian law by deliberately submitting false data when he was granted permission to enter Russia," according to the Tas news agency.

The Federal Security Service then added that Fryer had uncovered signs of attempting to carry out intelligence-gathering and sabotage operations that threatened Russian security, but did not release details.

In a related development, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova told the Tas news agency that she had "invited Nigel Casey, the British ambassador to Russia, to the Foreign Ministry."

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the Ukraine war as Britain joined EU sanctions against Russia.

Russia, in particular, has been heavily pushed back recently after Britain allowed Ukraine to use British-made long-range missile stormshades to strike mainland Russia.