Russia has expelled 60 US diplomats and closed the country’s St. Petersburg consulate in response to US action over a spy poisoning case in the UK.
The moves were announced by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
It comes amid a row over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in southern England.
Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury, in Wiltshire, on 4 March.
More than 20 countries have expelled Russian envoys, in solidarity with the UK, which has blamed Moscow for the attack.
Russia has vehemently denied any role. Mr Skripal remains in a critical but stable condition but his daughter’s condition is said to be improving.
Mr Lavrov said that the US ambassador had been informed of “retaliatory measures”.
Reported by: BBC