Russia's Federal Security Service has accused the British Council of working under the cover of British intelligence. The Russian security service revealed on Thursday that it has identified the involvement of four leading university teachers who cooperated with the council in such activities.

"In the course of the investigation, representatives of the teaching staff of leading Russian universities who cooperated with the British side to undermine Russian security were identified," Reuters wrote, citing Russian security services.

British intelligence agencies have accused the council of using it to undermine Russia, erase its identity and develop a global network of powerful people. The council says it is not involved in espionage activities. "Russian accusations of involvement in espionage are false," the council said. "We are an organization that works to maintain peace and prosperity between the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and English language learning."

Likewise, the Prosecutor General of Russia accused the Council of working in the interest of Britain in the name of teaching English language, trying to help and support sexual and gender minority communities. Russia has declared this activity of the council as an "extremist" and an illegal activity, writes the news agency AFP.