I have to ask the same question: why do we tolerate this Russophobia, where "Russia" is used as a boogeyman to solve the internal political problems, and redirect the outrage away from the real issues facing our societies?
This whole issue has been so old, it's been one of the story plots in a popular 1980s British TV show called Yes, Prime Minister:
- Why don't you expel 76 Soviet diplomats? That has been our practice in the past, when we wished to ensure that the press lose interest in something?
- I can do that?!
- It must be a story that nobody can disprove.
- And which will be believed even if it's denied!
https://twitter.com/rusembmalta/status/980521180460388352
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW10zLDI3Eg
(Yes, Prime Minister, "Official Secrets", 1987)