Head of Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service Onno Eichelsheim, Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld and British ambassador Peter Wilson attend a press conference of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) at The Hague, The Netherlands, on October 4, 2018. (AFP PHOTO)

MOSCOW, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch accusations on the alleged attempts of cyber attacks by Russian spies are another act of propaganda directed against Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"We have repeatedly pointed out to the Dutch side, including through diplomatic channels, that the anti-Russian espionage campaign launched in the country, accompanied by targeted 'leaks' in the media about the alleged cyber attacks, causes serious damage to bilateral relations," a ministry statement said.

Earlier in the day, the Dutch Defense Ministry said that four Russian intelligence officers suspected of plotting cyber attacks were expelled from the Netherlands on April 13.

According to the Dutch side, the alleged cyber attacks were targeted at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as well as data on the investigation into the MH17 plane crash in Ukraine in 2014.

The Foreign Ministry said it may "look strange" that the Netherlands waited almost six months to publish data on the expulsion of the Russian citizens.

Meanwhile, it coincides with London's accusations against Russia on cyber attacks targeting a number of organizations, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), it added.

"It is symptomatic that against the background of the paranoia intensified in the West over the past few years regarding 'all-powerful Russian cyber spies', who, according to the logic of Western politicians, live in 'backward Russia', every citizen of our country with a mobile device is perceived as a spy," the ministry said.

In addition, it noted that the Dutch side did not respond to the facts about the origin of the missile that hit the MH17 plane or to other relevant arguments voiced by the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Taking into account all these factors, we come to the conclusion about another directed propaganda campaign against our country," the ministry said.

A number of other countries and organizations also lashed out at alleged cyber attacks and espionage by Russian agents, including the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty organization.