Britain is cracking down on Russian spies as Moscow's defence attaché is expelled and 'Putin's Palace' is shut down Colonel Maxim Elovik, will be immediately expelled from the UK By Rebecca Camber Published: 00:16, 9 May 2024 | Updated: 01:12, 9 May 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Britain cracked down on Russian spies yesterday, expelling Moscow 's defence attaché and shutting a secret base known as ' Putin 's Palace'. James Cleverly unveiled plans to 'target and dismantle Russian intelligence gathering operations' in what is seen as one of the most significant steps of its kind since the end of the Cold War. The Home Secretary unmasked the Russian defence attaché, Colonel Maxim Elovik, as a top spy and he will be immediately expelled from the UK.
He also announced that a series of diplomatic premises suspected of being spy bases will lose their special legal status. The minister told MPs: 'Our message to Russia is clear. Stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.
' James Cleverly unveiled plans to 'target and dismantle Russian intelligence gathering operations' The Russian defence attaché, Colonel Maxim Elovik, (left) and Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin, attend a laying wreaths ceremony at the Soviet war memorial in London last month Seacox Heath, dubbed 'Putin's Palace' in East Sussex on May 08, 2024 near Ticehurst, England. James Cleverly removed diplomatic status from 'several' Russian-owned properties in.
