The United States has ordered 12 Russian diplomats to leave U.S. soil by March 7th for allegedly engaging in “espionage activities.” Olivia Dalton, spokeswoman for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced the news on Twitter on Monday afternoon. “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,” Dalton explained. “We are taking this action in accordance with the headquarters agreement. Today’s

On Sunday, as Russia continued its invasion of Ukraine, the State Department issued a Security Alert urging U.S. citizens to leave Russia through commercial means while they are still available. “An increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available,” the Alert said. “The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that the Department of State’s Travel Advisory level for Russia is at ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel.’” The same day, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that