Putin bans Russian flights carrying Russian citizens to Georgia from July 8

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree prohibiting Russian airlines from transporting Russian citizens to Georgia from July 8. The decision comes after anti-government and anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi.

“Starting from July 8, Russian carriers are temporarily forbidden from undertaking air transportation of citizens from the territory of Russia to Georgia,” the decree reads.

It also advised tour operators and travel agents to refrain from sending Russian tourists to the neighboring state while the ban is place. The restrictions were introduced in order to “ensure the national security of Russia [and] to protect Russian citizens from criminal and other unlawful actions.”

The Russian government was also tasked with assuring the safe return of Russian citizens. Earlier on Friday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry also issued a warning urging Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Georgia “for their own security.”