Russia Expels British Diplomat, Shares Iran Satellite Data

The intelligence-sharing allegation fits an established pattern. Russia and Iran formalized a comprehensive strategic partnership in January 2025. Under that arrangement, Iran supplied Russia with Shahed-136 and Shahed-238 attack drones — munitions that Russia deployed against Ukraine in the 442-drone barrage overnight on March 29–30, including strikes on the Tolyatti chemical plant. In return, Russia has provided air-defense technology, Su-35 fighter components, and, according to Zelenskyy, satellite reconnaissance access. The arrangement has steadily deepened on both sides as each war has lengthened.

“Russia and Iran formalized a comprehensive strategic partnership in January 2025.”

Britain's Chargé d'affaires in Moscow, James Sheridan, was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry on March 29 and handed a formal protest before the expulsion order. Russia said the action reciprocated London's own expulsion of a Russian intelligence officer in February 2026. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office condemned the move as "unwarranted and retaliatory" and said British intelligence cooperation with NATO would continue unchanged.

Zelenskyy's Riyadh visit was not only about Russia. His three-day Gulf tour — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, ending March 29 — produced commitments on drone interception technology and, more significantly, indications that Gulf sovereign wealth funds would engage on post-war reconstruction financing for Ukraine. His office confirmed "defence and reconstruction agreements" with each government; financial terms were not disclosed. The trip's timing, while Iran war diplomacy intensifies, signals Kyiv's intent to remain a relevant actor even as Washington's attention shifts to Tehran.

Russia's own economic position adds a complicating layer. The Bank of Russia set the official dollar-ruble rate at 81.2955 for March 31 — down roughly 12 percent since January, partly because the Strait of Hormuz closure has disrupted the global oil benchmarks that underpin Russian export revenues. The shadow fleet Moscow uses to circumvent Western oil sanctions has faced increasing interdiction by US and British naval assets. A Russian tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, docked at Cuba's Matanzas port on March 30 with approximately 730,000 barrels of crude. Trump said he had "no problem" with the delivery despite Cuba's US oil blockade — a remark that drew criticism from both parties in Congress and underscored the contradictions now embedded in Washington's sanctions architecture.

Any diplomatic deal on Iran that does not explicitly address the Russia intelligence-sharing channel will face fierce opposition in Congress. NATO officials who have seen the Zelenskyy briefing material are already pushing for that condition to be included in any ceasefire framework; defence committee hearings are expected within the week.