Moscow - Russia has taken the decision to prohibit a considerable number of British journalists, media representatives, and senior politicians from entering its territory, a list that notably includes five journalists and executives from The Guardian, as stated by the foreign ministry on Friday.

In an official statement released on the foreign ministry's website, Moscow asserted that this comprehensive action was in response to UK-imposed sanctions and the dissemination of "false information about Russia." It also pointed to what it referred to as "London's persistent military backing of the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime."

The list consists of 54 British individuals and encompasses Annabel Goldie, Britain's minister of state for defence, whom Moscow accuses of overseeing the supply of weapons to Ukraine, including depleted uranium shells.

The culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, was also included in the ban due to alleged efforts in "lobbying for the international sports isolation of Russia."
The roster of banned individuals features prominent journalists, among them Julian Borger and Daniel Boffey from The Guardian, as well as Keith Underwood, the chief financial and operating officer of Guardian Media Group (GMG). Charles Gurassa, chair of GMG, and Emily Bell, a GMG board member, have also been barred. Additionally, senior personnel from the BBC and the Daily Telegraph have received entry bans.

A Guardian spokesperson responded, stating, "In banning Guardian journalists and executives, the Russian government is simply demonstrating its disregard for a free and fair press. Guardian journalism is highly trusted the world over, and we will continue to report robustly on Russia and its invasion of Ukraine."

Russia has previously implemented similar bans on numerous British journalists and media executives, including Katharine Viner, The Guardian's editor-in-chief. Editors-in-chief from other prominent UK publications were also subjected to bans during that time.

The entry ban list also encompasses Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of war crimes related to the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. Moscow placed Khan on a wanted list as an act of retribution following the ICC's announcement of the arrest warrant.

Since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has engaged in an unprecedented crackdown on both domestic and foreign independent news outlets. The country has also targeted foreign social media networks. Legislation was introduced to criminalize media outlets disseminating "false information" about the Russian army.

In March, Moscow arrested Evan Gershkovich, a Russia correspondent for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), on charges of espionage, marking the first detention of a US journalist on such charges in Russia since the Cold War. Gershkovich, the WSJ, and the US government have vehemently denied the accusations.