The special plane, which was sent by Moscow to carry back home Russian diplomats expelled from the United States, left Washington on Sunday, Sputnik news agency said, quoting the Russian Embassy's press service.

On Saturday, Russian Embassy spokesman Nikolai Lahonin said that the special plane, which is set to carry back home the Russian diplomats expelled from the United States by President Barack Obama's decision earlier this week, landed near Washington.

"The plane took off, everyone left," the press service told RIA Novosti.

On Thursday, US outgoing President Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, the closing of two Russian diplomatic compounds in Maryland and New York and new sanctions against six Russian individuals and five entities over Moscow's alleged interference in the November US presidential election.

Source: MENA