Moscow bans UK journalists in sanctions payback

RUSSIA has banned dozens of senior British journalists and editors from entering the country in retaliation for Western sanctions, its foreign ministry announced yesterday.

Moscow accused the 29 journalists of “deliberate dissemination of false and one-sided information” with their reporting on Vladimir Putin’s invasion. “With their biased assessments, they also contribute to fuelling Russophobia in British society,” it added.

Four people named on the list were from The Daily Telegraph, including Chris Evans, the editor. The list also featured journalists and editors from The Times, Guardian and The Independent, as well as Sky News and the BBC.

Moscow had previously vowed to retaliate for foreign sanctions against Russian officials and bans on Russian media outlets overseas.

Twenty people linked to Britain’s defence industry also featured on the list, including Admiral Benjamin Key, Chief of the Naval Staff, and figures from BAE Systems and Thales.

A Daily Telegraph spokesman said: “The Telegraph is proud of its reporting of the invasion of Ukraine and regrets attempts by Russia to restrict press freedom”.