US to Expel 12 Russian Diplomats at UN Mission for Spying

The United States said Monday that it was expelling 12 Russian diplomats based at Moscow's U.N. mission in New York for engaging in espionage activities. "The United States has informed the United Nations and the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations that we are beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the United States by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security," U.S. Mission to the United Nations spokesperson Olivia Dalton said in a statement. "We are taking this action in accordance with the U.N. Headquarters Agreement. This action has been in development for several months." Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that the U.S. gave them until March 7 to leave the country. He said that it is a "hostile action" by the U.S. government and violates Washington's obligations as the host country of the United Nations.