NATO has decided to expel eight Russian diplomats, described as “undeclared intelligence officers”, and halve the size of Russia's mission to the alliance in response to suspected malign activities, including killings and espionage, Sky News has learnt.
The eight diplomats are expected to leave Brussels, where the alliance is headquartered, by the end of the month and their positions scrapped. Two other positions that are currently vacant will also be abolished.
This will reduce the size of the Russian mission to NATO in the Belgian capital to 10.
"We can confirm that we have withdrawn the accreditation of eight members of the Russian Mission to NATO, who were undeclared Russian intelligence officers," a NATO official said.
"We can also confirm that we have reduced the number of positions which the Russian Federation can accredit to NATO to 10.
"NATO's policy towards Russia remains consistent. We have strengthened our deterrence and defence in response to Russia's aggressive actions, while at the same time we remain open for a meaningful dialogue."
The only other time NATO has taken such collective action against Moscow was when allies ejected seven Russian diplomats from the mission in the wake of the 2018 Salisbury spy poisonings as part of a mass expulsion of Russian intelligence officers across allied countries.
