Russia is expelling 14 people who work at the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one member of staff from the consulate in St Petersburg, the Russian foreign ministry has announced.

The measure is being seen as a tit for tat response following the Netherlands decision to expel 17 diplomats and other officials who were, according to the Dutch security services, actively involved in spying.

Russian state press agency Ria Novosti said on Tuesday that the Dutch ambassador Gilles Beschoor Plug had been summoned to the foreign ministry where he was informed of the decision.

The move is ‘in connection with the unjustified announcement on March 29 that 18 employees of the Russian Embassy in The Hague… are persona non grata,’ Ria Novosti quoted the ministry as saying.

Foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said he had expected Moscow to respond, but nevertheless was sorry about Russia’s decision.

‘We are now going to look at the consequences, given so many staff members have to leave Moscow and St Petersburg,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has agreed to send armored vehicles and other equipment to Ukraine, following a phone call between prime minister Mark Rutte and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy

📞: In a call with @ZelenskyyUa the @DefensieMin and I expressed our support as Russia begins a renewed offensive. 🇳🇱 will be sending heavier materiel to 🇺🇦, including armoured vehicles. Along with allies, we are looking into supplying additional heavy materiel.

— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) April 19, 2022

The Netherlands has previously sent 200 Stinger missiles, 50 rocket launchers and 400 anti-tank weapons alongside sniper rifles, ammunition and protective gear such as helmets and mine detection systems.