Russian President Vladimir Putin has recalled the Russian Ambassador to Britain, Andrei Kelin, with Moscow accusing London of taking a “path of confrontation.” The British newspaper The Independent reported the decision, reports Focus.
Kelin spent more than seven years at the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Britain and left his post on August 21. According to The Independent, Moscow has not yet taken steps to appoint his replacement, which the publication says could be a sign of fears of additional diplomatic tensions.
The recall comes amid another escalation of relations between Moscow and London. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in response to Russia's threats that Britain continues to support Ukraine "100 percent."
Additional tension was also caused by reports of the use of British unmanned aerial vehicles by Ukrainian forces in strikes deep into Russian territory.
Among these is the Nyan jet drone, which has been tested by the British Royal Navy. According to information cited by The Times, Ukrainian forces have used British drones in attacks on Russian oil refineries near Moscow, as well as in Yaroslavl and Volgograd.
Nyan has also been used in strikes on targets in the Belgorod region. For another British drone, which was also allegedly used by Ukraine, the manufacturer was not specified for security reasons.
Moscow warned of consequencesAfter the information about the British drones appeared, the Russian embassy in the UK warned London that there would be consequences for providing such weapons to Ukraine.
The diplomatic mission accused the United Kingdom of acting as an “accomplice and helper” in actions defined by Moscow as bloody crimes and terrorist acts.
The Russian embassy also stated that London's actions “will inevitably have consequences“ for which Britain will have to answer.
Against this backdrop, the recall of Andrey Kelin marks a new deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are already severely strained due to the war in Ukraine and the military support that Britain provides to Kiev.