Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs the Security Council meeting in Moscow, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the UK amid rising tensions over Britain’s role in the Ukraine war. Andrei Kelin, who spent seven years as the Russian ambassador in the UK, left the posting on July 21 and the Kremlin has not submitted any names to the Foreign Office to be considered as his replacement. According to The Times, embassy staff have no clear idea of when the role might be filled – sparking fears of a communication breakdown between the UK and Russia. It comes after Moscow officials expressed outrage when it was confirmed British drones had been used by Ukraine to strike targets deep within Russia. The embassy in London then claimed Britain would face the “consequences”, though the UK government doubled down on its support on Ukraine. Prime minister Andy Burnham said the UK was not a “fair weather friends” and supports “Ukraine 100%”. A spokesperson for the Russian embassy claimed Kelin had made “considerable efforts to preserve contacts and channels of communication” with Britain. They accused Downing Street of choosing a “path of confrontation” with Russia. Putin’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov also told the media: “I feel sorry for the United Kingdom, if it is going to stand with Ukraine until the very end. “As for the substance of our Embassy’s comment, it means only one thing: President Vladimir Putin has warned of our right to act in any area of the world’s oceans, should anyone encroach on our interests or our property. “We have exactly the same right to regard the proudly announced direct involvement of British missile forces in strikes against the Russian Federation as participation in the war. With all the consequences that entails.” The reason for Kelin’s departure from the role remains unclear. Russia has threatened to downgrade its relationship with the UK over Britain’s support for Ukraine following Putin’s illegal invasion in 2022. As Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in June 2024: “The issue of lowering the level of diplomatic relations is a standard practice for states that face unfriendly or hostile manifestations.” Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Putin Aide Claims He 'Feels Sorry' For The UK After Russian Embassy's Threats Trump-And-Putin Stunt Becomes Amsterdam Pride Talking Point 'Toxic Atmosphere' Surrounds Putin As Russian Casualties Mount On Ukraine Battlefield