Russia bans 92 US citizens from entry including journos

Russia said Wednesday it had banned another 92 US citizens from entering its territory, listing officials and journalists from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post.

The foreign ministry said it was responding to Washington's sanctions against Russians.

It was not possible to immediately verify whether all those Russia added to its blacklist held US nationality, reports AFP.

Among the 92 were The Wall Street Journal's editor-in-chief Emma Tucker and her deputy Charles Forelle. The Journal's Ukraine bureau chief James Marson was also listed.

Several US Treasury officials were listed, as were military commanders from the United States Space Force.

"In response to the Russophobic course pursued by (US President Joe) Biden's administration... entry to the Russian Federation is permanently closed for 92 US citizens," the foreign ministry said in a statement accompanying the list.

"We remind the current US authorities of the inevitability of punishment for hostile actions," it continued.

The announcement comes less than a week after Washington unveiled sweeping new sanctions against almost 400 individuals and companies tied to Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

Biden also announced a new round of military aid for Kyiv last week, including air defence missiles and ammunition for frontline soldiers.