Russia is to expel hundreds of Germans working in the education and cultural sectors of the country next month.

The German Foreign Ministry while confirming the development said Russia had decided to cap the number of German employees from the start of June.

The move follows tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and increasingly strained relations between Russia and Germany.

Last month, Russia and Germany each declared 40 employees of their respective embassies personae non grata and expelled them.