In this Jan 23, 2020 photo, a Russian national flag flies in front of one of the Kremlin ruby stars in downtown Moscow. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

MOSCOW - Russia has declared two employees of the Colombian diplomatic mission in Moscow "persona non grata" in tit-for-tat retaliation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The ministry said it summoned the Colombian ambassador on Tuesday to protest against the "groundless decision" of the Colombian side to expel two diplomats from the Russian embassy in Bogota.

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"This step does not correspond to the spirit of the traditionally friendly and mutually respectful relations between Russia and Colombia," the ministry said in a statement.

According to media reports, the two Russian diplomats were expelled for alleged intelligence activities.