Russia Expels 20 Czechs In A Retaliatory Move After Prague Expelled 18 Russian Diplomats

RFE: Moscow Expels 20 Czechs In Tit-For-Tat Move Over Alleged Russian Links To Deadly 2014 Depot Blast

Moscow has expelled 20 Czechs in a retaliatory move after Prague sent home 18 Russian diplomats, accusing them of being spies after Czech intelligence linked Russian military agents to a deadly ammunition depot explosion in 2014 that killed two people.

The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said on April 18 that the Czechs affected were told to leave Russia by the end of day on April 19.

The tit-for-tat move comes as the European Union's top diplomats prepare to meet on April 19 to discuss Russia's alleged involvement in the explosion, an accusation Moscow has called "absurd" and a sign of Washington's influence on Prague.

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WNU Editor: On first reading this is a very strange diplomatic spat between Russia and the Czech republic. For one. Why would Russia blow-up a Czech munitions dump. But here is a good summary on why the Czech Republic is reacting the way that it is, and why Russia is implicated .... A Czech Explosion, Russian Agents, A Bulgarian Arms Dealer: The Recipe For A Major Spy Scandal In Central Europe (RFE).

More News On Russia Expelling 20 Czech Diplomats

20 employees of Czech embassy in Moscow declared personae non grata -- TASS

Russia tells 20 Czech diplomats to leave by Monday night in response to Prague’s expulsions -- RT

Moscow Expels 20 Czech Diplomats, Tells Them to Leave by End of 19 April -- Sputnik

Five diplomats to stay in Czech embassy inn Moscow - presidential office -- TASS

Livid Russia expels 20 Czechs after blast blamed on Skripal suspects -- Reuters

Russia expels Czech diplomats over explosion row -- BBC