Related: Russia Refuses to Comment on Expulsion of U.S. Military Attaches

Russia has ordered two American military attaches at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to leave the country, State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said on Thursday.

"We can confirm that the two individuals have been asked to leave," said Gallegos, adding "We object to the action but will comply with the request."

The U.S. Officials played down any linkage between the expulsions of the Americans that were ordered on April 28 and the expulsions of a pair of Russian diplomats.

One Russian military officer was ordered to leave Washington in November last year. The second was ordered to leave on April 22.

The late news of the expulsions came at a time when new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in on Wednesday and his predecessor Vladimir Putin became prime minsiter of the country.