The announcement was made by Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Among those banned now from entering Russia are Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Interior Minister Yvette Cooper, among others in the new Labour government.

Moscow condemned London for allegedly fostering "aggressive anti-Russian rhetoric," imposing "illegitimate unilateral sanctions," and supporting what it called the "neo-Nazi Kyiv regime."

The UK government denounced the move and dismissed the accusations as "malicious and baseless," vowing to respond in due course. 

"This is not the first time that Russia has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff. We will respond in due course," said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office.

The ban comes amid escalating tensions following the expulsion of British diplomat Wilkes Edward Pryor, identified by Russian authorities as an intelligence officer operating under diplomatic cover. 

Pryor, the second secretary of the UK Embassy’s political department, was accused of replacing one of six British intelligence officers expelled in August and has been ordered to leave Russia within two weeks.

Earlier today, UK Ambassador to Moscow Nigel Casey was also summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over the allegations. 

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed that London is committed "to further systematic confrontation with Russia," urging British officials to abandon such actions in favour of "mutual respect and constructive engagement for the sake of global security and stability."