"In response to the unfriendly actions of the UK authorities and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, the Russian side decided to impose personal sanctions against a proportionate number of UK representatives who are closely involved in anti-Russian activities. They are banned from entering Russia," the statement says.
The ministry explained that the UK government in December 2020 and April 2021 had announced the imposition of personal sanctions against Russian citizens "under far-fetched and absurd pretexts" due to "alleged human rights violations" in Chechnya, as well as within the framework of the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations approved by the UK Parliament.