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150 Russians Denied Entry Into Ukraine

A Ukrainian border guard stands at a border crossing near the village of Uspenka, eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian border guards have denied entry to about 150 Russian citizens, after Kiev announced it was imposing stricter border controls on men holding Russian citizenship.

Since Thursday, about 80 people have been removed from flights headed to Ukraine, Interfax reported, citing an unidentified source.

A further 70 passengers, including 15 women, have been removed from trains at a border checkpoint, Gazeta.ru reported. Border guards said that these individuals were denied entry because they were "drug addicts and drunks."

On Thursday, Kiev announced that Russian men between the ages of 16 and 60 would be denied entry into Ukraine unless they provided proof of the purpose of their trip, in an effort to thwart "possible provocations" in the eastern regions of the country.

Men with Ukrainian citizenship registered in Crimea and Sevastopol will also need to justify their trips to Ukraine, or be in possession of plane tickets or other proof of travel, Interfax reported.

Additionally, Ukrainian women between the ages of 20 and 35 who are registered in Crimea and Sevastopol will only be granted entry into Ukraine after "special verification."

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday requested "immediate official clarification" on Kiev's restrictions against Russian citizens and announced that it would consider retaliatory measures upon receiving the relevant information.

Read More:

Ukraine Restricts Russians' Entry, Moscow Threatens Retaliation

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