{
  "id": 2815980,
  "title": "Russian ambassador to UK leaves post amid increased pressure over support for Ukraine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/russian-ambassador-to-uk-leaves-post-amid-increased-pressure-over",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T15:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ukrinform - Politics",
    "slug": "ukrinform-politics",
    "url": "https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4156926-russian-ambassador-to-uk-leaves-post-amid-increased-pressure-over-support-for-ukraine.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin has departed from his post in the UK amid heightened tensions over support for Ukraine. The Guardian reported this, citing Ukrinform. Mr. Kelin's name is no longer listed among the \"Diplomatic List\" on the Russian Embassy's website in the UK, with only Chargé d'Affaires Vasily Tsiganov now occupying senior diplomatic positions. His departure, after seven years in office, was not met with an announcement of his successor. Tensions have escalated since last week when the Russian Embassy threatened \"consequences\" following reports of UK drone deliveries to Kyiv. Former British military attaché John Foreman noted that such gaps between ambassador appointments are not uncommon, but the recent \"consequences\" statement and deteriorating relations since 2018 suggest Moscow may permanently downgrade the relationship. The Russian Embassy spokesperson stated that Kelin sought to maintain communication but accused the UK of adopting a confrontational stance. Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized their ongoing support for Ukraine.",
  "summary": "Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin. According to Ukrinform, this move comes amid continued Kremlin pressure on London over its support for Ukraine.\n\nMeanwhile, Ukrainian forces have carried out drone strikes on Russian targets. The Kyiv Independent reports that Ukrainian drones struck two Russian fighter jets, a large missile-carrying drone, and several air defense assets. The targets included a Su-33 and a Mig-29 at the Vityazevo airfield in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region.\n\nThe drone strikes also hit high-value radars and air defense systems, including S-400, Pantsir, and Tor systems, as well as radars in Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, and Russian-occupied Crimea, according to the Kyiv Independent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin resigns amid UK-Ukraine tensions",
    "Chargé d'Affaires Vasily Tsiganov takes over senior diplomatic role",
    "UK Foreign Office vows continued support for Ukraine"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Ukraine strikes 2 Russian fighters, air defense assets in Krasnodar Krai, drone commander says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ukraine-strikes-2-russian-fighters-air-defense-assets-in-krasnodar",
        "published": "2026-08-23T13:28:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euromaidan Press",
        "title": "Ukraine’s drones hit two Russian fighters and a spy drone—and blinded radars from occupied Crimea to Rostov",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ukraines-drones-hit-two-russian-fighters-and-a-spy-drone-and-blinded",
        "published": "2026-08-23T16:36:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Latvia and Ukraine have already moved to practical implementation phase of the Drone Deal – Kulbergs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/latvia-and-ukraine-have-already-moved-to-practical-implementation",
        "published": "2026-08-23T17:25:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}