The move by Russian officials is seen as retaliation after the United States expelled two Russians attached to its embassy in Washington, CNN reported.

The two people were given two weeks to leave Russia. The U.S. State Department is in discussions with Russian officials regarding the action, CNN said.

Although trained by the Defense Department, military attaches assigned to a U.S. embassy are considered under the direction of the State Department. Military attaches are the top military liaisons for the embassy to which they are assigned.