Tensions rise as Ukraine keeps out Russian men

Ukraine - The move came after Kiev imposed martial law in border regions.

 Ukraine on Friday barred Russian men aged 16-60 from entry as tensions mounted between the two countries over Moscow's seizure of three Ukrainian ships last week. The move came after Kiev imposed martial law in border regions this week in response to the Russian seizure of the ships and 24 sailors off Moscow-annexed Crimea.
The incident was the most dangerous in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours - who are locked in conflict over Russian-backed separatist regions - and has raised fears of a wider escalation. "
As of today, entry is restricted for foreigners - in the first instance for male citizens of the Russian Federation age 16 to 60," the head of the border service Petro Tsyhykal said at a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko that was broadcast live. Poroshenko said the restriction will not apply to "humanitarian cases". Moscow slammed the move, but said it will not impose similar restrictions on Ukrainians.
Russian foreign ministry spokes-woman Maria Zakharova said the decision was part of the "ill-conceived, wild direction" of the Ukrainian leadership. She told a press briefing on Friday that to try and mirror the travel ban "would lead to some kind of insanity". Belarus, which has become a transit point between the two countries since direct flights be-tween Kiev and Moscow were suspended in 2015, said Friday that Ukraine had barred entry for 144 Russians this week.
"Different airports in Ukraine banned entry to a total of 50 Russians arriving from Belarus in one day," a representative of the Belarusian border service told Russian agencies.