Norway expels 15 Russian diplomats accused of spying

Norwegian foreign minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Russia’s intelligence threat is “increasing”

Norway has expelled 15 Russian officials that it had accused of spying under diplomatic cover.

Foreign minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Norway would not allow Moscow to use its embassy to carry out “covert intelligence activities”.

It is the latest in a string of Russian expulsions since it launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.

The Kremlin will respond and is weighing up an “appropriate answer”, Russian news agency Tass reported.

Norwegian authorities had monitored the individuals “over time” before they were declared persona non grata – unacceptable or unwelcome – a government statement said.

They must leave the country “shortly”, but further details about their alleged activities have not been revealed.

Norway said Russia poses the “greatest intelligence threat” the country faces, and that the threat is increasing against the backdrop of Europe’s “deteriorating security situation”.

Norway shares a 197km (122-mile) land border with Russia in the Arctic, and their relations have suffered throughout the Ukraine crisis.

Despite not being a member of the European Union, Norway has emulated several European sanctions against Russia.