Lauren Moye, FISM News

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A dozen Russian diplomats have had their privileges revoked by the U.S. on Monday according to White House. These individuals served as spies under the cover of their diplomacy, making them a grave threat to national security.

According to U.S. Spokesperson to the U.N. Olivia Dalton, the diplomats are being expelled from the country because they “abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities.” These diplomats were part of the United Nations’ Russian Mission located in New York.

Dalton said the action was taken in “accordance with the headquarters agreement” and had “been in the works for several months.” While the move is not connected to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it does occur amidst high tension between Russia and the U.S.

The U.S. has informed the Russian Mission that we are beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security.

— Olivia Dalton (@USUNSpoxOAD) February 28, 2022

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia received notification of the move during a live press conference yesterday. He told reporters, “I have just received information that the U.S. authorities have undertaken another hostile action against the Russian Mission to the United Nations.”

Nebenzia did not have details at the time of which Russian Mission officials were affected but denied that they were anything more than diplomats. According to the Russian ambassador, the diplomats have until March 7 to leave He could not answer what Russia’s reaction would be but did imply they would likely retaliate “tit for tat” in what he views as a standard diplomatic practice.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Richard Mills reiterated the view that this was a defensive move. He told the U.N. Security Council during a discussion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, “Those diplomats that have been asked to leave the United States were engaged in activities that were not in accordance with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also pushed back against the Russian ambassador. She stated during yesterday’s press conference, “I think the hostile act is committing espionage activities on our own soil.”

Reactions to the Twitter announcement varied from approval that spies were being outed to dismay that it took months before action was taken. Others feigned shock at the news and one Twitter user said “you might have been born yesterday” if you are surprised to learn Russia uses diplomats as intelligence agents.

Former double-agent Naveed Jamali also commented that based on his experience it is likely that all members of the Russian UN mission were secret agents.

For context, when I was operationally working against the GRU, they were all based out of Russia's UN mission. The senior officer in the mission is the highest uniformed GRU officer in the US. All these members are likely GRU intelligence officers. https://t.co/b2tUWph4c7

— Naveed Jamali (@NaveedAJamali) February 28, 2022