(VOVworld) - Russia said on Monday it will close its airspace to Ukrainian airlines from October 25 in reprisal for a ban that Ukraine has slapped on two Russian firms.

Pursuant to instructions from Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, the federal transport agency has informed Ukrainian airline companies providing flights to Russia that they will be forbidden to use Russian airspace beginning October 25.

Last week, the Ukrainian authorities banned the Russian companies Aeroflot and Transaero from flying into Ukraine, also from October 25.

Russian transit flights will also be banned if the aircraft carry military personnel or dual-use goods, under the decision announced in Kiev.

On September 16, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expanded a list of sanctions against Russian companies and individuals, targeting 400 officials and 90 companies.