The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has announced its response to Sweden's decision to expel five employees of the Russian embassy.

In particular, on May 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador of Sweden, who was told that in response to Stockholm's expulsion of Russian diplomats, Moscow decided to terminate the activities of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Gothenburg from September 1, 2023.

"The Swedish ambassador was informed that Russia reciprocated by declaring five Swedish diplomats 'personae non grata.' At the same time, the head of the Swedish diplomatic mission was informed about the withdrawal by the Russian side from September 1, 2023 of its consent to the activities of the Consulate General of Sweden in St. Petersburg," reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Moscow calls the announcement on April 25 of five employees of Russia's foreign institutions in Sweden persona non grata a frankly hostile step.

"These actions by the Swedish authorities have further aggravated the situation in bilateral relations, which have reached an unprecedented low level, including as a result of the ongoing Russophobic campaign in Sweden," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.

In response, Moscow expels five Swedish diplomats, including three employees of the defence attache at the Embassy of Sweden in Moscow.

"They were ordered to leave the Russian Federation within the same time limits set by the Swedish authorities for the departure of our employees," the message reads.

As reported, journalists from several Northern European countries have found that many employees of Russian diplomatic missions in the region are likely to be undercover spies.