Russian Retaliation: U.S. Embassy Staff Expelled

Russia has expelled two U.S. diplomats, accusing them of working with a Russian national who is accused of collaborating with a foreign state. The diplomats, first secretary Jeffrey Sillin and second secretary David Bernstein, have been given seven days to leave the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that the expelled diplomats conducted illegal activities by maintaining contact with Robert Shonov, a Russian national who was employed by the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok. Shonov has been under arrest since May and is accused of collecting information on the war in Ukraine and other issues for Washington. The Russian government has warned against any U.S. embassy interference in its internal affairs.