UPDATES WITH STATEMENT; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - The Russian defense attache, “an undeclared spy” will be expelled from the UK in response to a "growing threat," the British government announced on Wednesday.
It comes as part of a major package of measures to "target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations" in the UK, according to a government statement.
As part of the move, the UK will expel the Russian defense attache, an undeclared military intelligence officer, and remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian properties in the UK.
These properties include Seacox Heath – a Russia-owned property in Sussex – and the Trade and Defence Section in Highgate, "which are believed to have been used for intelligence purposes."
Britain will also impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK
The UK also summoned the Russian ambassador on Wednesday to "replay these measures and to reiterate that Russia’s actions will not be tolerated."
"These actions, the latest in a string of robust measures taken against Russia to protect the UK, follow a pattern of malign activity carried out both here and abroad in the past year, which is believed to be linked to Russia," added the statement.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "We are taking action to send a strong deterrence message to Russia and to further reduce the ability of the Russian Intelligence Services to threaten the UK."
Foreign Secretary David Cameron noted that Russia’s attempts to undermine the UK and European security have become "increasingly brazen," since the beginning of its war on Ukraine.