Presence of visa doesn't guarantee unhindered entry to Ukraine for Russians - border service chief

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) - The presence of a Ukrainian visa does not guarantee that Russian citizens will be able to enter Ukraine unhindered, chief of Ukraine's State Border Service Serhiy Deineko said.

"The Ukrainian government's decision terminating visa-free travel for the Russians came into effect at the border crossing today," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Deineko as saying on social media.

The introduction of visa requirements will help strengthen Ukraine's security, he said.

"From now on, every Russian citizen will have to explain the purpose of their trip to Ukraine in advance. But I want to warn citizens that even if they receive a visa, they should not relax. It does not guarantee unhindered entry to Ukraine, as visa holders also must fulfill other conditions for crossing the Ukrainian border. And border guards will certainly check them. If sound grounds for that are found, a visa will be cancelled on the spot," he said.