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Nikolay V. Pukalov, head of the Counsular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation of Washington, D.C., walks past the brick and iron fencing surrounding the former Russian consul general's residence, where the Russian flag continue to fly, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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A security official stands just inside the gate to the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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As a Russian flag continues to fly from the roof of the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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A security official walks past the front door to the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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Nikolay V. Pukalov, head of the Counsular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation of Washington, D.C., peers through the iron fencing surrounding the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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A locksmith, left, stands aside after looking at the front door lock as a security official walks out of the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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As a Russian flag continues to fly from the roof, a security official stands just inside the gate to the former Russian consul general's residence Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Seattle. Officials with the U.S. State Department have drilled out locks to access and inspect the home, a day after Russian staff vacated the site. President Donald Trump's administration announced last month that the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

US officials inspect Russian consular home in Seattle

By Associated Press AP

PUBLISHED 1:40 PM ET May. 09, 2019

SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. State Department officials have drilled out locks to inspect the former Russian consul general's Seattle residence, a day after Russian staff vacated the site.

President Donald Trump's administration announced last month the diplomatic outpost would be closed and 60 Russian diplomats expelled nationwide to punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.

The Seattle Times reports a locksmith behind a blue tarp drilled out the front gate's lock on Wednesday, and that U.S. officials moved on to the residence's front door and a basement door.

The Russian Embassy objected on Twitter, describing it as an invasion. The Russians own the building and the U.S. owns the land it sits on.

The State Department said it conducted a residence walk-through to ensure the Russians had left.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.