CNN: Suspected Spies Casing Russian Defectors Were Among Diplomats Expelled

on April 18, 2018 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 18: Russia's United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia speaks at a U.N. Security Council meeting requested by the United Kingdom for an update on the investigation into the poisoning of... NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 18: Russia's United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia speaks at a U.N. Security Council meeting requested by the United Kingdom for an update on the investigation into the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter on April 18, 2018 in New York City. In a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of the former spy in the UK, countries around the globe have expelled dozens of Russian diplomats. The US has expelled 48 envoys at the Russian embassy in Washington and 12 more at the U.N. in New York. It will also order the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Suspected Russian spies casing Russian defectors were among the 60 diplomats the Trump administration expelled from the United States last month, CNN reported Wednesday.

CNN reported that among the expelled diplomats were Russian spies who, unnamed law enforcement and intelligence officials believe, “were tracking Russian defectors and their families who had resettled in the US.”

Trump expelled the diplomats in response to Russia’s alleged poisoning of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter in Britain earlier in March. At the time of the expulsion, unnamed senior Trump administration officials told the Associated Press that all of the expelled diplomats were in reality spies using diplomatic titles as cover.

The Trump administration also ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in Seattle in response to the poisonings. On Wednesday, State Department personnel drilled through the locks on that compound and entered it — despite Russian protests that it was still the country’s property, and though its Russian occupants had left the grounds the previous day.

According to CNN’s Wednesday report, the alleged Russian spies were “believed to be casing someone who was part of a CIA program that provided new identities to protect resettled Russians,” according to CNN’s unnamed sources.

Read CNN’s full report here.

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  1. On Wednesday, State Department personnel drilled through the locks on that compound and entered it — despite Russian protests that it was still the country’s property, and though its Russian occupants had left the grounds the previous day.

    Oddly enough, the Russkies vamoosed but left their flag flying at the former Western White House.

    No word yet on whether they stole the DTV receiver(s).

  2. I’m not one to say “Come on Mueller”—our society as a whole made this mess and it’s our responsibility to clean it up, not entirely his. But JFC when Putin’s goons are making like it’s open season on people resident in this country that’s just about enough. We’re all about the sovereignty now, is that it? That’s the deal? Fine then. Let’s go, let’s fucking well clean house now, today, and start at the top. Lock. Him. Up.

  3. Avatar for mymy mymy says:

    Novichuk redux.

  4. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    Trump didn’t expel the Russians. The intel and State folks got it done while Donny Dotard wasn’t paying attention.

    How long is Donny going to ignore this?

  5. That is going to sting. Dish and DirectTV do not like giving up a dollar in equipment.

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