MOSCOW

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday personal sanctions against 29 British journalists and 20 individuals connected to the defense industry.

The ministry said the step was taken in response to sanctions against Russia's media figures and chiefs of defense companies.

"The British journalists, put on the list, are connected to the deliberate spread of phony and lop-sided information about Russia and events in Ukraine and Donbas. Their biased assessments also contribute to inciting Russophobia in British society," it said.

The ministry sanctioned correspondents from the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Sky News, Times, BBC, Channel 4 News, ITV, Daily Mail, Independent, Financial Times and the Sunday Times.

"Individuals, connected to the UK defense industry, take part in making decisions about arms deliveries to Ukraine, which are used by local punishers and Nazi formations to kill civilians and destroy civil infrastructure," it said.

The list specifies that restrictive measures are introduced against two British deputy defense ministers, heads of the navy and air forces, representatives of the BAE Systems and Thales UK arms companies and three lawmakers.

All of those blacklisted are banned from entry to Russia, said the ministry.