Moscow - (AFP) - Russia announced that it will prevent the entry of 200 Canadians to its territory, including Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, in response to similar Canadian sanctions targeting Russian personalities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision was taken in response to "personal sanctions against Russian officials," condemning the policy of "Russophobia" pursued by the regime of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The list includes, in particular, Conservative Party spokeswoman Sarah Fisher, CEO of Telesat Canada Daniel Goldberg, and President of the Canadian Elections Commission Stéphane Perrault, in addition to many Canadian personalities of Ukrainian descent.

Since the beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, Canada has sanctioned more than 1,400 Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian individuals and entities.

Russia responded each time with similar sanctions.