Russia has withdrawn its ambassador from the UK amid rising tensions between Britain and the Kremlin. Andrei Kelin, who served as Moscow’s chief representative in London for more than seven years, left his diplomatic position under a shroud of secrecy last month. A replacement has not been appointed, prompting fears of a complete breakdown in communication between Moscow and London.
Ambassador’s departure announced internally
The ambassador’s departure was announced internally at the embassy during a party for Russia Day on June 11. No formal announcement or statement was made to the public. It is not clear why Mr Kelin left, after serving in the position since 2019, or whether Russia plans to leave a lower-ranking official in the post indefinitely.
Withdrawing an ambassador is a formal way of expressing displeasure with a country without completely severing diplomatic ties.
Threats of consequences over British drones
On Monday, Russia threatened Britain with “consequences” after British-made drones were used to strike Russian territory for the first time. The removal follows threats from the Russian embassy that Britain would pay a “higher price” should it continue to support Kyiv in its armed struggle against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
“Reports that the Kyiv regime is using British drones to carry out strikes deep within Russian territory confirm that London is deliberately betting on an escalation of the Ukraine crisis, while hypocritically claiming to be striving for peace,” the embassy said, according to state media.
Spokesman warns of ‘path of confrontation’
A spokesman for the Russian embassy said Mr Kelin had made “considerable efforts to preserve contacts and channels of communication” with London and warned that the Government was choosing a “path of confrontation” with Russia.
“He left Britain in the hope that a more constructive and respectful dialogue could eventually be restored, should the UK reconsider its policies towards our country,” the spokesman told the Sunday Times.
Previous criticism and secret bases
Mr Kelin criticised Britain in 2025, suggesting London had been involved in a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s warplanes in June that year. The former ambassador said Ukraine must have had outside help with the strikes, which he described as a “very serious escalation” in the conflict.
It follows claims which found Russia had built secret bases capable of firing high-powered drones deep into Nato territory. Some 10 bases with newly built launch pads for Moscow’s most advanced long-range suicide drones have been installed. Some of the bases are already being used to strike Ukraine, with their proximity to the border helping with mass aerial attacks, launched past Kyiv’s diminishing air defences.
Moscow has previously threatened to downgrade its relationship with the UK. In 2024, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said: “The issue of lowering the level of diplomatic relations is a standard practice for states that face unfriendly or hostile manifestations.”
