The Russian embassy in Sweden has declined to comment.

Since Moscow invaded Ukraine last February, Russia and Western nations have been expelled tit for tat. Russia refers to the invasion as a "special operation".

Five people employed by the Russian embassy in Sweden have been asked to leave the country due to activities that are not compatible with the Vienna Convention of diplomatic relations, according a statement from the Swedish Foreign Ministry.

The ministry refused to specify what activities were involved but stated that the Swedish security services had reported Russia’s continuous involvement in gathering intelligence in Sweden.

In an email, the government said that it takes this security threat very seriously.

The Swedish Security Service has declined to comment, but it said that they have warned for years that Russia uses diplomats to spy in Sweden.

Many countries are concerned about Russian intelligence activities. The Swedish security police has identified Russia as a grave threat for the Nordic country’s security, which is pursuing NATO membership.

In the first week of this month, Norway expelled 15 Russian Embassy officials that it characterized as intelligence officers working under diplomatic cover.

Sweden expelled three Russian diplomatic officials in April of last year. Germany, the Netherlands and France also expelled officials over an alleged spying a year earlier.

The European Union has severely sanctioned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has expressed displeasure at Sweden’s request to join NATO.

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