MOSCOW, June 3. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday said the country banned entry for 41 Canadians including top defense officials and executives of the organizations that support ultranationalist forces in Ukraine.

"In response to yet another anti-Russian personal sanctions announced by official Ottawa on May 8 on the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry, military commanders and representatives of the business community, entry to Russia has been permanently closed for Canadian citizens," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that the ban affects 41 Canadians, including the leaders of organizations supporting the ultranationalist forces in Ukraine, as well as senior military officials.

The blacklist includes Lawrence McAuley, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense of Canada; Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy National Defense Minister for Policy; Troy Crosby, Assistant Deputy National Defense Minister for Materiel; Cheri Crosby, Assistant National Defense Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Robert Chambers, Assistant National Defense Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Environment.

The list also includes Canada’s Deputy National Defense Minister for Public Affairs, Information Exchanges, Science and Technology, and Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defense Staff.

The ministry said restrictions have also been placed on Cassian Soltykevych, the national secretary of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, other members of that organization and members of other groups that support ultranationalist forces in Ukraine.