Following the Russia-Ukraine war outbreak, European countries have expelled close to 400 Russian diplomats accused of espionage or hostile influence operations, marking one of the largest waves of diplomatic expulsions in history. Countries including Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Spain, Slovenia, and others have targeted alleged spies and disinformation agents acting under diplomatic cover, with expulsions justified under breaches of the Vienna convention. Notable cases include arrests of suspected spies in Slovakia linked to GRU agents, and historical sabotage linked to GRU operatives in the Czech Republic. The expulsions follow revelations of Russia using diplomatic missions to conduct espionage and propaganda against EU nations. Some countries, such as Austria and Sweden, have been reluctant or slow in expulsions despite intelligence suggesting high spy infiltration. The UK, although having expelled fewer diplomats, maintains significant Russian diplomatic presence for intelligence purposes. Overall, the expulsions underscore Western suspicions of Russia using diplomacy as a cover for espionage and hostile influence amid deteriorating relations stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Following the Russia-Ukraine war outbreak, European countries have expelled close to 400 Russian diplomats accused of espionage or hostile influence operations, marking one of the largest waves of diplomatic expulsions in history. Countries including Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Spain, Slovenia, and others have targeted alleged spies and disinformation agents acting under diplomatic cover, with expulsions justified under breaches of the Vienna convention. Notable cases include arrests of suspected spies in Slovakia linked to GRU agents, and historical sabotage linked to GRU operatives in the Czech Republic. The expulsions follow revelations of Russia using diplomatic missions to conduct espionage and propaganda against EU nations. Some countries, such as Austria and Sweden, have been reluctant or slow in expulsions despite intelligence suggesting high spy infiltration. The UK, although having expelled fewer diplomats, maintains significant Russian diplomatic presence for intelligence purposes. Overall, the expulsions underscore Western suspicions of Russia using diplomacy as a cover for espionage and hostile influence amid deteriorating relations stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine.