Russia deported 6 British diplomats on charges of espionage and sabotage.

Six British diplomats have been deported by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on charges of espionage and sabotage activities.

The British Embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but it is known that diplomats from the embassy's political section left Russia at the beginning of September.

Zvezda, the state television channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense, broadcast footage showing the departure of the diplomats from Moscow and directly referred to them as "spies."

The FSB claimed that the Eastern Europe and Central Asia department of the British Foreign Office in London coordinated the "escalation of the political and military situation" and was tasked with ensuring Russia's strategic defeat in the war against Ukraine.

This statement came at a time when the UK was leading efforts to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian targets within Russia.

The FSB stated that if it is determined that other British diplomats engaged in similar activities, they will be asked to leave early.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claimed that the activities of the British Embassy in Moscow went far beyond diplomatic norms and engaged in intentional activities aimed at harming the Russian people.

These deportations occurred at a time when the number of British diplomats in Moscow was at its lowest level in decades.

Meanwhile, as the British Prime Minister traveled to Washington, Vladimir Putin warned that allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia with Western missiles would be seen as an act of war.

If Ukraine's Western allies lift the ban, Kyiv's troops will soon be able to attack Russian military assets up to 300 km (190 miles) deep within Russia using US-made ATACMS and British-French Storm Shadow missiles - a capability that could significantly impact the course of the conflict.

Ukraine has carried out several attacks against Russia, but these were conducted with kamikaze drones and had limited effects.

Zelensky has been urging Kyiv's allies to go further in their support by allowing Ukraine to fire Western missiles into Russian territory.

However, Downing Street and the White House have been reluctant to allow such attacks so far, out of concern that it could lead Russia into direct conflict with the West.