Russia's spy agency opens criminal case against Lib Dem councillor

Russia's spy agency has opened a criminal case against a Russian exile living in London, accusing her of being part of a terrorist organisation.

Ksenia Maximova, who was born in Russia, says Moscow is "constantly probing all the defences" of the UK and its allies.

The former model is a serving Lib Dem councillor on Ealing Borough Council and is founder of the Russian Democratic Society, an organisation designated as "undesirable" under Russian law.

She told Sky News being put on Russia's list of terrorists is not a surprise.

"For years everyone was saying it's a bit random that I was still not on it," she added. "I guess I'm one of the last ones, I was a bit more careful."

Russian authorities have opened a case against Ms Maximova under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, which concerns participation in an organisation designated as terrorist under Russian law.

Ms Maximova started the Russian Democratic Society, which works to counter authoritarianism and war by empowering democratic voices from Russia.

Russia added the group to its list of undesirable organisations earlier this month.

Ms Maximova could face prosecution if she returned to Russia, but told Sky News that she already knew she could not go back.

"The problem comes if they stick you on Interpol," she added, saying that could see her held up at passport controls when she travels.

The FSB, Russia's main spy agency, claims Britain wants to bring together Russian opposition to create the illusion of an alternative to replace the government in Moscow, the Russian state-owned TASS news service reports.

The agency claims it knows the identities of all emigres who have decided to work with London and wish to see Russia defeated.

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Ms Maximova insisted that she is determined to continue with her anti-war activism.

"If someone decides to get rid of me, they just will, there's nothing I can really do about that," she said.

She previously told Sky News how she had to brief her children on what nerve agent exposure looks like following the Salisbury poisonings.

Asked about the alleged hybrid attacks across the continent that European capitals have blamed on Russia, Ms Maximova says not enough is being done.

"Russia is constantly probing all the defences of every single country and the fact is that if they did want to do some damage they could quite easily," she added.

It comes as defence secretary Wes Streeting said the UK needs to have a national conversation around war preparedness.

He told Sky News Defence Insider that the threat from Russia is real and urged for greater resilience in the UK.

(c) Sky News 2026: Russia's spy agency opens criminal case against Lib Dem councillor