US expelling Russian diplomats from UN mission in New York | Al Jazeera

The United States has announced plans to expel 12 Russian diplomats from Moscow’s mission to the United Nations in New York, accusing the officials of engaging in “espionage activities”.

In a statement on Monday, the US mission to the UN said it had started the process of expelling the diplomats – whom it described as “intelligence operatives” – for “engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security”.

“We are taking this action in accordance with the UN Headquarters Agreement. This action has been in development for several months,” the statement read.

The move comes amid widespread international condemnation of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which since last Thursday has left more than 100 Ukrainian civilians dead and forced half a million others to flee the country, according to the UN.