Russia bans 30 British nationals, including cabinet ministers, over 'Russophobic' policies

Russia on Tuesday banned 30 British nationals including Britain’s cabinet ministers from entering the country in response to what it called London’s “Russophobic” policies.

According to a Moscow Times report, among those now banned from entering Russia are UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for the Home Department Yvette Cooper, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, as well as other senior British officials, military personnel, politicians, business leaders and journalists.

The outlet could not immediately confirm whether all the individuals listed are British citizens, as Russia has previously misidentified citizenships in similar entry ban announcements.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused the 30 British nationals of engaging in “anti-Russian activities,” citing this as the basis for their inclusion in Moscow’s so-called “stop list.”

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The ministry said it felt “compelled to draw attention to the ongoing aggressive anti-Russian rhetoric from the UK authorities, the systematic imposition of illegitimate unilateral sanctions by London and the reckless policies of the British leadership in supporting the neo-Nazi Kyiv regime.”

Russia also criticised the UK for its commitment to “systematic confrontation with Russia,” urging British officials to “abandon this approach in favor of mutual respect and constructive engagement, to promote global security and stability.”

Since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has banned hundreds of foreign nationals, including individuals from the US and the UK. In February, Moscow blocked entry to 18 British nationals.

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With inputs from agencies