Story by Emily Smith
Russia has withdrawn its ambassador from the UK, declaring that Britain should “reconsider its policies”.
Andrei Kelin, who served as Moscow’s chief representative in London for more than seven years, left his diplomatic position on July 21.
A replacement has not been appointed, raising concerns of a breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On Monday, Russia threatened Britain with “consequences” after British-made drones were used to strike Russian territory for the first time.
Andy Burnham with Volodymyr Zelensky (left), the Ukrainian leader. The Prime Minister insisted the UK would stand behind Ukraine – Simon Jones/AFP via Getty
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,” he said.
The spokesman added that the Kremlin had not submitted a replacement candidate to the Foreign Office, and said: “In the meantime, the embassy is headed by the chargé d’affaires.”
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.
Also that day, Nigel Casey, Britain’s ambassador to Moscow, held rare talks with Russia’s deputy foreign minister, and German and French representatives, to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Nigel Casey leaves the Russian foreign ministry after a meeting in 2024 – Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty
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.
Later, a Russian embassy statement posted on Telegram said relations with the UK had waned, but there was nothing to suggest a wish to downgrade the level of diplomatic relations.
“The state of Russia-UK relations across all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London’s initiative,” it said.
The Foreign Office said it was “a matter for the Russian ministry of foreign affairs”.
“We have an ambassador and embassy in Moscow to engage and raise concerns with the Russian government,” it said in a statement.
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, which has the right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.”
Britain will ‘pay’ for supporting Kyiv
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.
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.
The revelation also follows a Telegraph investigation that 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.”
