11 Mar 2014 10:19

342 Russians denied entry into Ukraine over past 24 hours - border guard service

KYIV. March 11 (Interfax) - Up to 342 Russian citizens have not been allowed to enter Ukraine over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reported.

Such measures were taken as part of a joint operation conducted by Ukraine's Interior Ministry and Security Service, which suspect a number of Russians "of being involved in steps to destabilize the situation and fuel tensions in Ukraine," the State Border Guard Service said in a press release.

A total of 577 Russian citizens were denied entry into Ukraine on March 9 and March 10.

Security has also been stepped up at Ukraine's border crossing points with Belarus and Moldova, according to the press release.