Russia stated that it would close the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) Moscow offices and revoke its staff’ accreditation and visas; effectively expelling them from the country.

The move is retaliation for Canada’s decision to ban Russian official television channel Russia Today; the channel is accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda. Canada’s French-language channel was likewise shut down.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “With sadness, we continue to witness blatant attacks on the Russian media from countries of the so-called collective West who call themselves civilised.”