Russian plane lands in D.C. to pick up expelled ‘spies’

The U.S. government is making an exception so the expelled Russians can return to their homes.

The Biden administration pointed to comments made by the Russian Foreign Ministry that a plane was sent to pick up diplomats.

The State Department said in a statement that the U.S. government approved a flight for the Russian UN Mission personnel who were expelled for abusing their privileges of residence.

The U.S. mission to the United Nations announced that it was expelling diplomats because they had spied on the United States.

The Russian Mission said in a statement that they were beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives who had abused their privileges in the US to engage in espionage.

The US is expelling another Russian who was not based at the Russian mission at the U.N., even though Russian officials said his assignment was scheduled to end in March.

Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, told reporters earlier this week that the diplomats had to leave the U.S. by Monday.