According to media outlets, the Czech Interior Minister, Jan Hamáček, announced the expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats from the country on suspicion of their relationship with Russian private services, and gave them 48 hours to leave the country.

Local Czech media reported to the Minister of the Interior that "18 Russian diplomats will be expelled from the country on suspicion of being Russian special service officers."

Czech Prime Minister André Babis claimed, "The reason for this move was the involvement of Russian diplomats suspected of serving as Russian military intelligence officers in the 2014 bombing of an ammunition depot in Verbetis."

In turn, Russian Foreign Affairs responded to the Czech statement, asserting that "Prague is well aware of what will follow the expulsion of Russian diplomats."