Russia has expelled more than 20 German diplomats in retaliation for the "mass" expulsion of Russian diplomats from Germany and has accused Berlin of severing ties, according to Russian state media.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, stated on Saturday that "more than 20" German diplomats would have to depart.
Her statement followed the ministry's denunciation of "another mass expulsion of employees from Russian diplomatic missions in Germany."
The German foreign ministry stated that it had taken note of the Russian declarations.
In recent weeks, the Federal government and the Russian side have been in contact regarding personnel matters in their respective overseas representations, the German foreign ministry told AFP.
"Today's flight is part of that process," the statement said, without mentioning the expulsion of Russian diplomats.
Moscow accused Berlin of "continuing to destroy the entire spectrum of Russia-German relations publicly."
"In response to Berlin's hostile actions, Russia has decided to expel German diplomats from the country," the Russian foreign ministry said.
Moscow will also limit the maximum number of personnel in German diplomatic missions in the country, according to an April 5 notification to Germany's ambassador Geza Andreas von Geyr.
Germany has maintained close economic relations with Moscow for many years, especially in the energy sector, which depends on Russian gas.
Soured Ties
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine, however, relations have deteriorated as Berlin increased its financial and military support for Kyiv.
Germany was criticized for its delay in delivering weapons to Kyiv and its reluctance to authorize the shipment of Leopard tanks made in Germany to Ukraine.
In January, it eventually consented to the shipment of the armaments and promised to deliver some of the most advanced ones from its stockpile.
The Kremlin stated that Western tanks would "burn."
After what Russia refers to as its special military operation in Ukraine, the German security agency increased its level of vigilance in regard to Russian espionage, which it said had reached unprecedented levels.
It was stated that Russia targeted German businesses and strategic infrastructure, particularly the energy, rail, and road sectors.
Beginning of the previous year, Germany expelled forty Russian diplomats whom it deemed a security hazard.
Germany's chief of cybersecurity, Arne Schoenbohm, was fired in October following allegations that he had connections to Russian intelligence services.
