Blakeman, Zeldin: Expel Russian Spies, Operatives from Glen Cove
By Nolan Cleary
With thousands of innocent civilians being killed in the Ukraine, multiple high-profile US governmental leaders are now calling for Russian diplomats and spies to be removed from a secure private compound maintained by the Russian government in Glen Cove. The call comes amid the horrible Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Members of Long Island, a group composed of Ukrainian-Americans and their friends and families, is demanding the immediate closure of the Russian government compound. The compound is the former Killenworth mansion in Glen Cove, located on Dosoris Lane. It was built by American philanthropist and Standard Oil heir George Dupont Pratt. The 36-acre estate includes a castle-like mansion with 49 rooms
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and U.S. Congressman - and 2022 Republican New York gubernatorial candidate - Lee Zeldin, held a press conference to demand the Russian government operatives be expelled.
"Expel these Russians from Nassau County. We don't need them here," Blakeman said last Friday, at the rally, also attended by Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck.
The Killenworth mansion was purchased by the former Soviet Union in 1951, and was claimed to be a "retreat home" by the Soviets, and their successor, the Russians.
U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) expressed mixed feelings. "I'd like to see us discuss it with the executive branch and the United Nations people," said Suozzi."We can't stop all of the diplomatic challenges that we have."
In 2016, Russian diplomats were forced out of another Russian compound in Upper Brookville. That compound was shut down by then-President Barack Obama over allegations that Russia was spying and had interfered in the 2016 US Presidential elections.