Mr. Putin announces that 755 staff must leave diplomatic missions. The decision to deport staff was made on Friday, but Putin has now confirmed the number who must go by 1st September.
It brings staff levels to 455, the same as Russia’s staff in Washington.
Mr. Putin told Russian television “More than 1000 people were working and are still working” at the US embassy and consulates, and that “755 people must stop their activities in Russia”