Russia has recalled its ambassador to the UK amid growing tensions with London over Britain’s continued support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Tensions between Moscow and London have deepened further over Britain’s support for Ukraine, with Russia recalling its ambassador to the UK and leaving the diplomatic post without a permanent successor.
Andrey Kelin, who served as Russia’s ambassador to Britain for more than seven years, left his post on July 21. Moscow has not yet nominated a replacement to the UK Foreign Office, and embassy staff reportedly have no indication of when a new ambassador will be appointed, The Times reported.
The Russian embassy in London said Kelin had left Britain hoping that “a more constructive and respectful dialogue” could eventually resume if the UK changed its policies towards Russia.
Moscow leaves ambassadorial post vacant
A spokesman for the Russian embassy said the Kremlin had not submitted a candidate to replace Kelin.
“In the meantime, the embassy is headed by the chargé d’affaires,” the spokesman said.
Kelin’s departure comes amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Russia and the UK since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Kremlin had previously warned that diplomatic ties could be downgraded in response to what it described as hostile actions by Western governments.
More from WorldUK reaffirms support for Ukraine
The diplomatic development comes as Britain continues to back Kyiv in the war despite warnings from Moscow.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would continue to “support Ukraine 100 per cent” after Russia threatened unspecified consequences over the reported use of British-made drones in attacks deep inside Russian territory.
The Russian embassy in London had earlier warned of consequences over Britain’s alleged involvement in such strikes.
Putin warns of retaliation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has separately threatened a wider retaliatory campaign against Ukraine following Kyiv’s intensifying attacks on Russian economic infrastructure.
Putin accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting Russia’s economy and said Kyiv had “opened Pandora’s box” by escalating the strikes.
“The Kyiv regime set out to damage our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself. Well then, expect a response targeting your most sensitive economic sectors,” Putin said.
Ukraine has increasingly used drones to target Russian oil refineries and other economic infrastructure that it says supports Moscow’s war effort.
UK-Russia ties remain strained
The latest diplomatic move adds to a broader deterioration in relations between Moscow and Western governments since the start of the Ukraine war.
In June 2024, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reducing diplomatic ties was a standard response to what Russia considers “unfriendly or hostile” actions.
Russia has previously downgraded diplomatic relations with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia following the invasion of Ukraine, further highlighting the widening diplomatic divide between Moscow and European countries.