Vice President Iliana Iotova, expressed her surprise at the expulsion. "This is an unprecedented decision. It was taken by a government that has already lost the confidence of the Bulgarian parliament," she said, pointing out that the worst possible scenario is a rift in relations with Russia.

Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office learned about the operation from the media, Prosecution spokeswoman Siyka Mileva said, and added that the Prosecution had no official information.