12 Russian UN Diplomats Expelled From US Over Ukraine Crisis: Official

The Russian mission to the UN has around 100 staff, according to a Russian diplomatic source.

Twelve members of Russia's diplomatic mission to the UN have been ordered to leave the United States by March 7, Russia's ambassador to the world body said Monday.

Vassily Nebenzia told reporters at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York that he had just learned of the expulsion.

AFP was not immediately able to confirm the order independently and a spokesperson for the US State Department said he had no comment.

"It's bad news," said Nebenzia, refusing to specify whether he was among those told to leave.