US to expel 12 Russian diplomats for 'engaging in espionage activities'

A dozen diplomats from the Russian Mission to the United Nations are being kicked out of America, according to the U.S. Mission to the U.N. which said that the 12 individuals perpetrated espionage, and the move to expel them has been in the works for months.

"The United States has informed the United Nations and the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations that we are beginning the process of expelling twelve intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the United States by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security. We are taking this action in accordance with the UN Headquarters Agreement. This action has been in development for several months," a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the U.N. said in a statement.

The announcement comes as Russia continues to invade the sovereign nation of Ukraine, wreaking death and destruction as Ukrainians bravely fight to defend their country.

While President Biden has declared that the U.S. will defend NATO territory, he has said that American forces will not get involved in the battle between Russia and Ukraine.

But while the U.S. has ruled out military intervention in Ukraine, it is providing military and humanitarian assistance to the embattled nation — the U.S. has also levied sanctions to target Russia economically.

"Today, as Ukraine fights with courage and pride against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked assault, I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation by the President, an unprecedented third Presidential Drawdown of up to $350 million for immediate support to Ukraine’s defense," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement last week. "This brings the total security assistance the United States has committed to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion."

"This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing. It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation," Blinken said.