Russia has sanctioned 49 UK citizens, including journalists, defence officials and arms industry executives, in response to western punitive measures against Moscow over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Those targeted, including Financial Times chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman, are barred from visiting Russia, which the foreign ministry said was retaliation for “the UK government’s anti-Russian actions” in sanctioning several leading Kremlin propagandists and executives at state-run defence corporations.

Moscow’s punitive measures will probably have a smaller effect than western sanctions against members of the Russian elite, who have more assets and bigger interests in the UK and Europe than their counterparts do in Russia.