By John Ikani
Russia has banned all UK airplanes from landing or crossing into its airspace.
The move comes a day after the British Government barred Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, from entering the UK in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“A restriction was introduced on the use of Russian airspace for flights of aircraft owned, leased, or operated by an organisation linked to or registered in the UK,” the Rosaviatsia aviation authority said in a statement.
The ban took effect from 11:00 am Moscow time (0800 GMT), it said, and included flights transiting through Russian airspace.
Britain joined advanced economies on Thursday in sanctioning Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” into Ukraine.
In addition to banning Aeroflot, London froze the UK assets of more than 100 Russian banking and arms manufacturing entities and sanctioned five oligarchs.
Russia has vowed “heavy” retaliation to British sanctions.
