The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has not allowed Russian journalist Zakhar Vinogradov to enter Ukraine and banned him from entering the country for five years, SBU spokesperson Olena Hitlianska has said.
"The Security Service of Ukraine has banned him from entering [Ukraine] for five years," she said.
Hitlianska said that the SBU makes decisions to ban foreigners or stateless persons from entering Ukraine in accordance with Article 13 of the law "On the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons," in the interests of ensuring Ukraine's national security.
"The decision to ban entry into Ukraine is made if there is sufficient information received in accordance with the procedure established by law on a person committing a socially dangerous act, regardless of the territory of its commission, which contradicts the interests of ensuring Ukraine's security, the prevention, detection, suppression and disclosure of which is in the competence of the Security Service of Ukraine," she said.