Russia bans entry to five British citizens, including journalists Catherine Belton and Richard Holmes

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday evening the ban on the entry of five British citizens into its territory, including journalists Catherine Belton from "The Washington Post" and Richard Holmes, a Pulitzer Prize finalist. This decision was justified as a reaction to the "provocative anti-Russian rhetoric" of British officials, as well as to insinuations about Russia and London's support for the regime in Kiev.

Other British allies targeted by the ban are Alexander Browder, a collaborator of the Henry Jackson Society, Alice Laugher, executive director of Committed to Good, and Richard Westbury, president of Chelsea Group.

The United Kingdom imposed sanctions against Russia, including travel bans, after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and these measures were extended after the invasion in 2022. Moscow responded with similar sanctions in retaliation.