Prime Minister Andrej Babis (R) and Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek at a press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, April 17, 2021. (Photo: AFP / VNA)

The expelled, who were allegedly "identified as members of the Russian secret services", will have to leave the Czech Republic within 48 hours, said Czech Interior Minister and also acting Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek.

According to local media reports, the move comes in response to evidence obtained by the country's security services which suggests Russia's involvement in ammunition depot explosions in 2014 in the Czech Republic which killed two people.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying on Saturday by TASS news agency that "Prague is well aware what follows such 'tricks'."

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the State Duma Leonid Slutsky said that the Czech’s move has a serious impact on bilateral relations, while warning that Moscow will surely respond.