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Denmark expels 15 Russian intelligence officers
Christian Wenande
April 5th, 2022
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The individuals have reportedly worked under diplomatic cover at the Russian embassy in Copenhagen
Spies with diplomatic status at the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen (photo: Niels Elgaard Larsen)
The government revealed moments ago that it has decided to expel 15 Russian intelligence officers from Denmark
The Foreign Ministry informed Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin of the move this morning, citing that the individuals have two weeks to leave the country.
According to the ministry, the 15 individuals have been working under diplomatic cover at the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen.
Barbin was also confronted with the government’s condemnation of Russian brutality against civilians in Ukraine – most recently laid bare by the horrific images from Bucha.
READ ALSO: Jeppe Kofod reacts to violent pictures from Bucha: perpetrators must be held accountable
Maintaining ties to Moscow
“This will signal to Moscow that we won’t accept Russian intelligence officers spying on Danish territory,” said the foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod.
“They constitute a risk for our national security, which we cannot overlook. Along with a number of our closest allies, we are therefore puting our foot down on the espionage the identified persons practise under the cover of diplomatic status.”
The Foreign Ministry underlined it did not want to sever diplomatic ties with Moscow as the embassy in Copenhagen is the primary channel of communication with the Kremlin.
Aside from Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands have undertaken similar actions this week.
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