Russia bans British airlines from its airspace

British airlines have been banned from landing at Russia’s airports and from crossing its airspace, the Russian civil aviation regulator has said.

It follows the UK’s decision to ban Russia’s national airline Aeroflot from landing in the UK.

The UK’s ban was part of sanctions introduced in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s airspace closed on Thursday after Russian forces launched a military invasion of the country.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think that’s their retaliation for us yesterday banning Aeroflot from using and landing in the United Kingdom. That’s their tit for tat response.”

Before Russia announced its ban, IAG, the airline group which owns British Airways, had said it was now avoiding Russia’s airspace.

British Airways normally operates three flights per week each way between London and Moscow.