Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Spain expel Russian diplomats after Bucha discoveries

By the numbers: Italy said it expelled 30 Russian diplomats, while Spain said it will order 25 to leave, Denmark 15 and Sweden three.

• All four countries said the diplomats were either not acting in accordance with international rules or pose a national security threat to their governments.
• Russian media reported that the Russian foreign ministry intends to at least respond to Italy's expulsions, though retaliative actions are expected to be announced against other countries.

The big picture: The reported killings of civilians in Bucha — some with their hands tied behind their backs — by Russian forces have prompted vows of new sanctions against Russia from both President Biden and European Union leaders.

• Russia's defense ministry rejected the accusations, saying no civilians were injured or killed while its soldiers controlled the town.
• Satellite images of Bucha refute those claims, showing several bodies of dead civilians lying in streets weeks before Ukrainian forces reclaimed control, according to the New York Times.

Go deeper: U.S. to seek Russia's suspension from UN Human Rights Council