The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was giving the 23 diplomats one week to leave the country. The Foreign Ministry said Moscow's measures were a response to what it called Britain's "provocative actions and groundless accusations". "We will never tolerate a threat to the life of British citizens and others on British soil from the Russian government. Britain's foreign ministry said it had anticipated Russia's response and its priority now was looking after its staff in Russia and helping those who will return home. Russia's response was more robust than expected.

Source: Irish Independent March 18, 2018 02:26 UTC