After his arrest on charges of receiving classified information
Russia calls on the Ukrainian consul in Petersburg to leave its territory
A Russian ship sails in the Bosphorus on its way to the Black Sea.
Reuters
Russia declared the Ukrainian Consul General in Saint Petersburg, Alexander Susunyuk, persona non grata, after arresting him on charges of receiving classified information, and demanded that he leave the country.
In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it informed the Ukrainian Chargé d'Affairs in the country Vasily Bukutilo of this decision during his summons to the ministry yesterday, and the ministry stated that the Russian side said during the meeting that "the illegal activities practiced by the consul are unacceptable and not in line with the status of a consular employee." , Stressing that these activities "are harmful to Russia's interests."
The ministry indicated that it had informed the Ukrainian Chargé d'Affairs that “the continued presence of Susunyuk in Russian lands is not desirable”, and advised the consul to leave the country within 72 hours, starting tomorrow.
This came in the wake of the Russian Federal Security Service’s announcement that it had arrested Susunyuk, who has been working in the country for years, while receiving from a Russian citizen confidential information related to the databases of the country's security services.
In addition, Russia sent 15 warships to the Black Sea to conduct maneuvers, amid renewed tensions in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian Interfax news agency quoted the Russian navy as saying that the ships passed through the Kerch strait in the Crimea.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the day before yesterday that certain areas in the sea in the Crimea will be closed for months due to the exercises.
But she added that navigation through the Kerch Strait would not be affected by the closure.
• Moscow sends 15 warships to conduct maneuvers, amid tensions in eastern Ukraine.
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