Moscow bans entry to 23 more British citizens

Russia added 23 new names to its ‘stop list’ for British nationals to include military and political figures, journalists and scientists.

‘A decision was made to expand the Russian “stop list” by including representatives of the military-political establishment, the journalistic corps and the scientific community,’ the foreign ministry in Moscow said in a 27 September statement, translated from Russian. It said the action was ‘In connection with London’s implementation of an anti-Russian course, within the framework of which the mechanism of personal sanctions is actively used.’

The new stop list includes Britain’s Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, whom Moscow accused of ‘supervising’ the training of Ukrainian troops in Britain, and Madeleine Alessandri, chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee, accused of being ‘involved in formulating London’s strategy in Ukraine.’ Also on the blacklist are Cressida Hogg, chair of British defence contractor BAE Systems, which established a centre in Ukraine this month to support the country’s armed forces.

Last month Russia placed 54 Britons on its stop list, including journalists and executives, the minister of state for defence Annabel Goldie and culture secretary Lucy Frazer.