Moscow closes international school after sanctions: report

Russia has closed an international day school in Moscow, the first sign of retaliation against new U.S. sanctions announced Thursday, CNN reported. 

A U.S. official briefed on the matter told the network that Russian officials had issued an order closing the Anglo-American School of Moscow on Thursday. 

But the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly denied that the school was being shut down. 

“US officials ‘anonymously informed’ their media that Russia closed the Anglo-American School in Moscow as a retaliatory measure,” spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, according to Russian news outlet Tass. “That’s a lie. Apparently, the White House has completely lost its senses and began inventing sanctions against its own children.”

The K-12 school is chartered by the American, Canadian and British embassies in Moscow and has about 1,250 students from 60 countries, according to its website. Students are currently on winter break.

CNN also reported that a U.S. Embassy vacation house in Serebryany Bor near Moscow will be closed as well.

{mosads}Russian officials warned Thursday that there would be countermeasures in response to the sanctions. But Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Friday that he would not expel U.S. diplomats from the country.

The Obama administration announced Thursday it would put new economic sanctions on intelligence organizations and personnel, expel 35 intelligence operatives from the U.S. and close two stateside facilities used by the Russians. 

The measures are a response to Russia’s alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election through cyberattacks on political groups such as the Democratic National Committee and other Democratic officials. 

Updated at 1:20 p.m. Friday.