The expulsion of five Russian diplomats is "unusually extensive," according to Wilhelm Agrell, professor of intelligence analysis. Agrell points out that several Western countries have expelled Russian diplomats on espionage charges.
Tony Ingesson, researcher in intelligence analysis, believes that the government wants to show decisiveness. The Russians will certainly respond in the usual way and expel the corresponding number of Swedes, says Agrell. The expulsion of Russian – or Soviet as it was at that time – leads to deteriorating relations.