Tit For Tat: Russia Bans 21 Britons in Response to UK Sanctions, Cites Anti-Russian Campaigns and Hostile Lobbying

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced a travel ban on 21 British nationals, including journalists, NGO workers, and consultants, in retaliation to what it described as the UK’s “ongoing confrontational course” and “anti-Russian narratives.”

The updated “stop list” was published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry and includes British citizens and individuals of other nationalities allegedly affiliated with British media outlets and consultancy firms. 

Image Source: Sputnik on X

The ministry said the measure was taken in response to the UK’s continuing support for Ukraine and efforts to “demonize” Russia on the international stage.

“In response to London’s ongoing confrontational course... and the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev being further pumped with weapons, it was decided to include several media representatives, NGOs, and consulting structures and the expert community of Great Britain in the Russian stop list,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry accused those listed of spreading disinformation, making unfounded accusations against Russia, and engaging in hostile lobbying to influence Western policies in favour of Ukraine. 

The statement also alleged that such individuals actively promote sanctions and advocate for increased military and financial aid to Kyiv.

Russia further claimed that these efforts contribute to destabilising the global energy market and divert resources away from international development efforts toward military expansion. 

“This is hitting the countries of the Global South... which have now become an object of the West’s neocolonial aspirations,” the statement read.

Moscow also accused the UK and its allies of hypocrisy, alleging that their public commitment to universal values is undermined by their support for what Russia described as militaristic agendas. 

“The speed with which... the British took the anti-Russian information campaign to a new level... indicates that similar propaganda levers can be used against any international actor whose actions no longer meet the interests of the collective West,” it said.

The Russian government has not yet provided individual names from the list beyond confirming the professions and affiliations of those banned.