MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - The United States Embassy to Russia has confirmed to Interfax that its deputy chief of mission was expelled from the country.
"Russia expelled U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) to Russia Bart Gorman. DCM Gorman was the second-most senior official at U.S. Embassy Moscow after the Ambassador and a key member of the Embassy's senior leadership team," embassy spokesman Jason Rebholz said.
He also noted that Gorman's Russian opposite number had departed Washington as part of the regular diplomatic rotation after completing his stint in January this year.
"Russia's action against our DCM was unprovoked and we consider this an escalatory step and are considering our response. DCM Gorman's tour had not ended; he had a valid visa, and he had been in Russia less than three years," Rebholz said.