Hundreds of employees of state German institutions will reportedly leave Russia based on a request by Moscow.

German nationals including public servants, diplomats and officials of cultural exchange organizations are among them.

Leading German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported the developments on Saturday.

In an interview with NHK on Sunday, Germany's foreign ministry declined to comment on the number of staff who will leave Russia.

A ministry official said Moscow has set limits on the number of staff of German missions and intermediary organizations in Russia from June.

The official said that requires a major cut in all areas of Germany's presence in Russia.

The German foreign ministry has condemned the decision as "unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible."

In April, Germany expelled Russian diplomats on grounds that it wanted "to reduce the presence of intelligence services" in the country.

Germany has long imported natural gas and other energy from Russia, and placed importance on relations with the country.

But Berlin has been stepping up pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Observers say the tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats will likely further worsen bilateral ties.