France Expels Six Suspected Russian Spies

France's Foreign Ministry, on Monday, decided to expel six Russians suspected of working as spies under diplomatic cover.

This is after the French intelligence services uncovered a clandestine operation on its territory.

The foreign ministry in a statement said; "Six Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover whose activities were found to be contrary to our national interests have been declared persona non grata."

It said that the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), its domestic intelligence service, had revealed on April 10, after a long investigation that a clandestine operation was carried out by the Russian intelligence services in the territory.

In a tweet, Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin said; "The DGSI had thwarted a network of Russian clandestine agents who worked against our interests."

He added that the DGSI had carried out a remarkable operation of counter-espionage and praised the organization for looking after the fundamental interests while in the shadows.

The move comes after France said on April 4 that it was expelling 35 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action after Russia invades Ukraine.