Dozens of Ukrainian sheep became the latest to feel the fallout of the strained political situation between their native country and neighboring Russia on Tuesday when inspectors from Russia's veterinary health and safety watchdog barred 50 of them from entering Crimea.
A vehicle transporting the sheep was stopped at Crimea's Armyansk checkpoint and prevented from going any further after inspectors deemed the animals to be a health risk.
"During a check of documents for the party of livestock, it was revealed that their veterinary certificates lacked any evidence of tuberculosis testing during their time in quarantine," a statement on the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service's website said Tuesday.
The vehicle carrying the sheep was turned back to Ukraine. The purpose of their trip to Russia was not immediately clear.
Earlier, 90 hamsters were also turned back at the Russian-Ukrainian border after their owner failed to show proper documentation for them.
