Moscow bars 39 Australians from Russia over Ukraine sanctions

Russia on Thursday banned 39 Australian citizens, including those working in the security and defence sectors, from entering the country in retaliation for Canberra's sanctions against Moscow over its offensive in Ukraine.

"In response to the decision of officials in Canberra to impose sanctions... Russia is adding 39 more people to the list" of those banned from entering its territory, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They include "representatives of law enforcement agencies, border guards, as well as defence contractors," it added in a statement.

The list, circulated by the ministry, included deputy home affairs secretary Marc Ablong, and police chiefs from several Australian regions.

By June, Moscow had already banned 121 Australians from entering for the same reasons.

Since its offensive against Ukraine began in late February, Russia has taken similar measures against hundreds of other Western figures.

Source: BSS/AFP