Russia imposed an entry ban on top UK-based journalists and defence figures as part of sanctions, in response to UK measures on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow 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”.
“The British journalists included in the list are involved in the deliberate dissemination of false and one-sided information about Russia and events in Ukraine and Donbas,” the Russian ministry said in a statement. "With their biased assessments, they also contribute to fuelling Russophobia in British society."
The BBC "will continue to report independently and fairly", a spokesperson said, noting that Sky TV, Times, Guardian, Channel 4 and ITV journalists are also barred.
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Moreover, Russia has targeted journalists and other figures it does not like with the label "foreign agent". The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday that this legislation violated the rights of those involved.
Last April, Moscow barred British Prime Minister Boris Johnson from entering the country.
The move was taken “in view of the unprecedented hostile action by the British Government, in particular the imposition of sanctions against senior Russian officials,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it would expand the list soon.
In addition, the entry ban included Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, as well as 10 other British government members and politicians.
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