The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the diplomats, including three from the Swedish Embassy's defense attaché, have been declared "personae non grata" and must leave the country within the same unspecified timeframe as the Russian diplomats expelled from Sweden.
The move comes after Sweden expelled five Russian diplomats in April, accusing them of espionage, coinciding with joint investigative documentaries by Nordic broadcasters highlighting Russian spying activities in the region.
Additionally, Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that Sweden's consulate in St. Petersburg will be closed, and Russia's consulate in Gothenburg will cease operations on September 1st. (ILKHA)