The Foreign Ministry of Russia informed through a statement that it has banned 29 British journalists along with Defence figures allegedly for spreading ‘false information’ about the country.
Moscow calls it a response to western sanctions
The Guardian, reporting a statement from the Foreign Ministry of Russia said the sweeping action was a response to western sanctions and the ‘spreading of false information about Russia’, as well as ‘anti-Russian actions of the British government.’
British journalists working for the BBC, the Sunday Times, the Daily Mail, the Independent, Daily Telegraph, Sky News, editors-in-chief of the Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and Independent and journalists from a number of other outlets have also been banned, the publication reported.
The publication reported Russia has also blocked access to several foreign news organisations’ websites, including the BBC and Deutsche Welle. Russia warned US news organisations this month they risked being stripped of their accreditation unless the treatment of Russian journalists in the US improved.
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A statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said, “the British journalists included in the list are involved in the deliberate dissemination of false and one-sided information about Russia and the events in Ukraine and Donbass. With their biased assessments, they also contribute to fueling Russophobia in British society.”
“Persons associated with the defense complex of Great Britain are involved in making decisions on the supply of weapons to Ukraine, which are used by local punishers and Nazi formations to kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure,” the statement said.
20 British personalities associated with Defence were also banned by the Ministry including British Deputy Secretary of Defense, Commander of the Royal Navy and Commander, Joint Operations, UK Armed Forces. The statement said that Work on expanding the Russian ‘stop list’ will continue.
