Russia bans Obama, Maddow, Colbert over sanctions

Russia has banned hundreds of U.S. citizens, including former President Obama, political commentator Rachel Maddow and late-night host Stephen Colbert, from entering its territory in response to the U.S. sanctions over the Ukraine war.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a Friday post on its website it is blocking entry for 500 Americans in response to the sanctions it said are designed to inflict the most damage possible on officials and civilians in Russia. 

The list of banned individuals includes former officials, lawmakers from both parties who were elected to Congress during last year’s midterm elections and may have been missed in previous rounds, experts and analysts for centers the ministry said spread “Russophobic” attitudes, and companies that have supplied weapons to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.